DEBESMSCAT and the United States Peace Corps are officially set to implement an online faculty and student training program on the applications of QGIS in natural resources management from February to August 2025. QGIS is a geographic information system (GIS) software that allows users to analyze and edit spatial information aside from composing and exporting graphical maps. This collaboration marks the first time that the US government agency partners with DEBESMSCAT. It shall focus on the management of natural resources in the areas covered by the State College and Masbate as a whole.
In this training program, the Peace Corps will deploy volunteers online through its Virtual Service Pilot Project to DEBESMSCAT. Meanwhile, DEBESMSCAT shall host the volunteers, who will serve as experts for training its college faculty and students on the applications of QGIS in natural resources management. The successful implementation of this training program will support DEBESMSCAT in its data-driven efforts for the environmental sustainability of its campuses, especially its Main Campus in the Municipality of Mandaon, which covers an area of 3,660 hectares, including classified timberlands. It will also pave the way for the college to create a pool of GIS experts who may eventually serve as technical consultants for local government units (LGUs) in their mapping requirements for their land use and development plans.
The specific objectives of the partnership are:
(1)Review and provide GIS-related inputs to the state college’s recently approved Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan (LUDIP);
(2)Conduct at least five (5) training events for the state college’s faculty and students on QGIS techniques and applications;
(3)Co-plan DEBESMSCAT’s implementation of GIS techniques in its local natural resources management; and
(4)Co-plan training LGUs in the Province of Masbate in applying GIS techniques in natural resources management.
Prior to the approval of this training program, DEBESMSCAT had an initial partnership meeting with the US Peace Corps on August 2, 2024, at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, through the initiative of Philippine Science High School-Bicol Region Campus Director Lorvi Pagorogon, who formerly served as Research and Development Services Director of DEBESMSCAT. The DEBESMSCAT delegation was composed of President Arnel Millesca, Vice President for Academic Affairs Elreen Delavin, Graduate School Dean Rodolfo Burac, International Relations Officer Jofer Asilum, and Public Information Officer Genesis Tumbaga. On the other hand, representing the Peace Corps was Response Program Manager Milosil Edles Cruz.
The Peace Corps is an independent government agency of the United States that trains and deploys volunteers to provide development assistance to developing countries, including the Philippines. Read more about the training program at:
Ladies and gentlemen,
