The Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines, Inc. (GEPI), the duly accredited and integrated organization of geodetic engineers in the Philippines, and an institution member of ASEAN FLAG, has just concluded the 2nd National Surveying and Mapping Summit held at the Century Park Hotel, Malate, Manila City on 19-20 February 2019. With the theme entitled “Harmonizing Land Administration and Management Policies for National Economic Development”, the Summit covered the crucial issues in geodetic engineering practice particularly on infrastructure and utilities, real estate, local governance, land administration and management, professional regulation and the academe.
Engr. Randolf S. Vicente, President of ASEAN FLAG was invited as speaker on the topic entitled “ASEAN Registered Surveyor: A Policy Initiative to Facilitate the Mobility of ASEAN Surveyors”. The topic included the following: (a) background of ASEAN; (b) ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services; (c) AEAN Economic Community; (d) Mutual Recognition Arrangements; (e) Framework Arrangements for the Mutual Recognition of Surveying Qualification; (f) Proposed Assessment Statement for ASEAN Registered Surveyors; (g) The Way Forward; and (h) A Summary.
Engr. Eduardo B. Sarmiento, President of the GEPI, included in the design of the Summit the signing of the “2019 Manila Declaration for a Harmonized Land Administration and Management Policies for National Economic Development” by all the participants and resource persons/speakers. The Summit was attended by geodetic engineers from different sectors encompassing government, business, academe and civil society organizations. He also stressed the need to properly document the Summit so that the Board of Governors of the organization will be able to develop the General Program of Action, in consultation with stakeholders, addressing the issues and concerns raised during the event.
