Report on the National Workshop on Geographic Information Systems for Coastal Area Management and Planning

Abstract

Geographic information systems (GIS) technology is fast becoming an integral part of resource management and planning in many developing countries. In the Philippines, the number of agencies and institutions using GIS is few but growing. Thus far, most are concentrated within the national capital region (i.e., Metro Manila). The use of GIS has been largely cartographic. While GIS can be used for mapping purpose, this severely underrates the utility of the technology as a spatial modelling tool. Such usage is understandable because most demonstrations on GIS are vendor-initiated and often, the generic functionality of the technology is seldom explained. This situation is changing, however, as formal GIS courses are being offered in some universities worldwide. Although GIS is widely known, its capability for spatial modelling is seldom appreciated. Moreover, the initial impression of the technology is for mapping purpose. So far, most GIS applications deal with land resources management as well as demographic assessment. One of the activities of the GISCAMP Project is to create awareness on the usefulness of the technology for spatial data management and modelling for decisionmaking purpose through training and workshops. This report is a summary of the national workshop on GIS for coastal area management and planning held in December 1993 in Bauang, La Union, Philippines. The GIS applications covered both the terrestrial and marine environments and using the Lingayen Gulf area as the pilot site.