GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Through the Energy Management and Development Services (EMDS) initiative, the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM conducted on 11-16 October 2021 a course on Raster and Drone Image Analysis using ArcGIS software and Agisoft Metashape Professional Software.

MENRE, in joint efforts with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), organized this training program for both technical and non-technical personnel of the Ministry. Participants came from all MENRE regional services, including representatives from PENREOs of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

EMDS Director Nasiri Abas said that using this GIS software shows the significance of spatial data in all phases of environment, natural resources, and energy conservation management and in devising better administrative measures for office operations.

The training activity, held at Suncity Suites Hotel, General Santos City, aimed to provide the participants with the latest and relevant knowledge on image analysis to perform their designated tasks effectively and efficiently. It served as a venue to train them on the current GIS platforms, databases, and applications that the Ministry’s technical personnel needs to fully utilize and apply these recent innovations and skills in their respective activities and programs.

This training is in the realization of the continuous efforts and initiative of the EMDS in partnership with IOM. This is part of the follow-up series of activities and workshops for the capacity development and organizational strengthening of MENRE personnel and staff for the Energy Development Program of the Ministry in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.