With the concerted preparation and joint efforts of the team in SuperMap Philippines, the 5th GIS Software Technology Conference, with the theme of "Geo-intelligence, Building Multi-Dimensional Foundation" came to a successful conclusion! The event was held on July 7th of 2022 at the Novotel Manila Araneta city. This is one of the onsite GTC events and global sessions that took place in seven other countries namely, Japan, Botswana, Indonesia, Colombia, Peru, Senegal, and Thailand. A Virtual Plenary Conference was also held in China. First time held in the Philippines, GTC Philippines 2022 was co-organized by the University of the Philippines Department of Geodetic Engineering, Advanced Spatial Information System and Technology OPC, Samar State University Samar Island GIS and Data Analytics Center, Caraga State University Department of Geodetic Engineering, SMARTGeo Surveying and Geomatics, National University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Geographic Innovations for Development Solutions, Inc., Visayas State University Department of Geodetic Engineering, Siccion Marketing, Inc., and Converge ICT Solutions.
Despite the heavy rain on the event day, attendees arrived early at the Novotel Manila Araneta City venue to line up for registration.
The event unfolded with opening remarks from the General Manager of Asia and Oceania Center of SuperMap, Evelyn Sun through an online video. “A Geographic Information System or GIS can't solve all problems, but it can help measure and monitor problems until a more comprehensive and effective understanding of the challenges and risks is reached, and make better decisions”, said Sun. Successful collaboration with more partners in universities, agencies, and private companies in the future was hoped for in this event.
The participants were also given a warm welcome from the Mayor of the City of Iloilo, Hon. Jerry P. Treñas who pointed out the importance of using technology in this digital age to strengthen the weak links in delivering better service to the people. He mentioned that with technology, we can achieve our goals and we can connect to and better serve the people. It is known that Mayor Treñas took the initiative to transform Iloilo into a smart city. The project is being handled by UP TCAGP Project LUNGSOD.
After two years of not being able to hold face-to-face events, SuperMap filled up the ballroom venue this 2022 for GIS experts and practitioners, government leaders, and company decision makers at the GTC Philippines.
For the first topic, the Chairman of University of the Philippines Department of Geodetic Engineering, Director of the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry and also the project head of Project Lungsod in Iloilo City, Dr. Czar Jakiri Sarmiento, presented the “Project Lungsod: Geospatial Technology and Citizen Science for Smarter Cities”. He shared the project’s commitment to rural and urban development as well as economic growth and environmental protection. Dr. Sarmiento highlighted the importance of data and citizens for this project and emphasized that the collaboration and coordination of people involved bring about the success of the project.
Dr. Czar Jakiri Sarmiento discussing about smart city components
Geoplan PH President & CEO Vic Valdon, Jr. asking Dr. Sarmiento of the most challenging part of carrying out a smart city project.
The next speaker was Engr. Raven Tabiongan, the current research center Director of Samar Island GIS and Data Analytics Center of the Samar State University. In his presentation, “Integration of SuperMap GIS in the Enhancement of GeoMap Samar Web App”, he showed the enhancement of their GeoMap in Samar and discussed its importance in farm productivity and in sustaining agricultural resources. The main purpose is to provide information on crops, land use, and soil quality. The system also involves inventorying, crop acreage estimation, crop condition assessment, crop yield forecasting, soil mapping, providing information access to users for improving productivity, and developing a user-friendly monitoring system.
Engr. Raven Tabiongan discussing about the current project of the Samar Island GIS and Data Analytics Center
The technical presentations paused for a sumptuous meal for the participants. It was an allotted time for socialization and visiting booths set up by the co-organizers at the back of the hall. Before the end of the afternoon break, a surprised raffle was done and a lucky winner was given a brand-new phone by the co-organizer, Geoplan Philippines.
Jastin Jescky Mirando from the Makati Development Corporation won the raffle of a brand-new phone, sponsored by Geoplan Philippines.
Siccion Marketing, Inc.
GrIDS, Inc.
Geoplan Philippines, Inc.
UP TCAGP Project LUNGSOD
National University
SSU Samar Island GIS and Data Analytics Center; Converge ICT Solutions
Mr. Milben Bragais, the President and CEO of Geographic Innovations for Development Solutions (GrIDS) Inc., discussed “Relief Monitoring and Management Tool: A Geospatial Solution for Disaster Response”. Providing the participants with knowledge about the essence of monitoring and management tools for the relief goods which serve the community in providing information about the status of the relief distribution activities, he also introduced their Project RAMDAM (Relief Allocation Management, Distribution, and Monitoring). It is a tool that is designed to aid local government units in their relief operations. This helps in providing immediate response to communities and individuals that are in distress.
Mr. Milben Bragais all set for the discussion of DRRM solutions by GrIDS, Inc.
The Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of National University –Philippines, Dr. Ria Liza Canlas, gave a discussion about “Framework for Big Data Analytics and Mapping of Emerging Industry Landscape in the ASEAN: Implications to Higher Education”. Utilizing technology such as the SuperMap iDesktop, the team aims to use analytics of big data to study the impact of the landscape of higher education on jobs, program offerings, curriculum designs and training programs, industry-academe matching, and region. Their CHED project is set to launch this October 2022.
Dr. Ria Liza Canlas speaking about the utilization of big data analytics for their CHED Project
Like previous GTC, the highlight of the event is the release of the newest version, the SuperMap 11i(2022). It was presented by one of the technical engineers of the SuperMap, Engr. Ian Emerson Almazan. In version 11i, SuperMap used many brand-new world-leading technologies and one of them is Yukon, an open-source spatial database that SuperMap developed in partnership with Huawei.
Engr. Ian on full smile to present the latest version SuperMap 11i
SuperMap also incorporated with Huawei 3D engine beta. The engine will be released with Huawei later this year.
Engr. Ian discussed the further development of the five major technology systems (BitDC) of GIS basic software: big data GIS, artificial intelligence GIS, new generation 3D GIS, distributed GIS, and cross-platform GIS technology system, enriching and innovating GIS theory and technology, empowering the informatization of various industries. For more information about the latest of SuperMap technologies, feel free to visit the website www.supermap.com.
After all the technical presentations, the CDRRMO of Iloilo City Government, Chief Research and Planning Division, LDRRM Officer IV - Franco Anthony P. Agudo was invited to the stage and summarized the afternoon event. He mentioned the significance of the knowledge brought about by the presentation of the speakers and reiterated the important and inspiring points of the gathering. He showed his gratitude to SuperMap for the invitation and for helping them be smart, resilient, and proactive for the people.
Mr. Franco Anthony Agudo, LDRRM Officer from Iloilo gave his insights and gratitude for the presentations.
The event was officially wrapped up by the Head of Business Development team, Engr. Marife Belando. She showed utmost gratitude to the guest speakers, co-organizers, participants, and the team of SuperMap Philippines for their efforts in making the event possible. “I would like to reiterate SuperMap’s commitment to supporting partners and clients, building more relationships, providing platforms like this for gathering experts from different industries, to talk about innovative solutions, in creating… in Mayor Trenas’ words… not only smart cities but communities that can cope with the demands of this digital era”, said she. SuperMap stands prepared and is well-equipped to open new chapters of cooperation with partner clients and beyond and support further initiatives focusing on inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
Engr. Belando closing the GTC Philippine 2022 with her warmest thank you to the team, the co-organizers, the guest speakers, and the participants, and welcoming them for working together in creating innovative solutions.
Since the first session in 2017, every GTC has insisted on innovation in terms of theme, form and content, and continues to bring surprises and harvests to the audience. Big thanks to the guest speakers from the universities, government agencies, and private companies, for the co-organizers of the event, and most especially to the attendees who went all out to make this high-quality and strong linkage industry event a success! The successful holding of GTC 2022 is a brand-new starting point. We must turn the influence of the conference into a strong driving force, continue to adhere to the road of GIS innovation, and use geographic wisdom to build a foundation for thousands of industries. Let's work together!
It's a wrap! The GTC 2022 Philippines attended by more than a hundred various stakeholders, ranging from university heads to government officials and policy-makers, to industry practitioners and experts.
After the event, attendees are approaching the SuperMap team to commend for a well-organized event and to set initial meetings.
