ARCOAST INSTALLS
DATABASE/INFORMATION
POLICY NETWORK
The
UP systemwide program on Archipelagic and Ocean Studies (Arcoast) announced
the setting up of a Database and Information/Policy Network during the “Presentation
of 1999-2000 Projects” on January 19 at the UP-CIDS Conference Room. UP Vice-President
for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ma. Serena I. Diokno welcomed the participants of
this consultation meeting which was attended by the UP Arcoast Research Fellows
and project staff who come from the different units of the University as well
as representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. Dr. Diokno has chaired
the UP Archipelagic and Ocean Studies Committee since August 1999.
The
Arcoast Database and Information/Policy Network Project is an initial effort
to establish a University information system and databank that will provide
support to the research and various activities of the systemwide program.
The project has the following components: (1) Webpage development and maintenance;
(2) establishment of a secure documentation and metadatabase services; (3)
forging linkages with network members and various sectors; and (4) publication
of a quarterly bulletin for various sectors.
Dr.
Gil S. Jacinto, who has been reappointed by the UP Board of Regents as UP
Arcoast Network Director on February 17, noted that the network is supposed
to provide a medium for consultation in matters related to archipelagic and
ocean studies prior to the setting of policies and the formulation of decisions
in the University. Dr. Jacinto also clarified that “the concept of information
system that we have is not a repository of all information that exists on
archipelagic and ocean studies in the country and in the whole world.” This
is because information technology “will enable as to just link to other sources
of information without us having to be the source of information ourselves.”
Nevertheless,
the project will “make available or at least point to sources of information
within the University that relate to archipelagic and ocean studies.” Dr.
Jacinto said that scientific publications as well as policy studies that have
been published by the different UP units, among them, the UP Law Center’s
Institute of International Legal Studies (IILS); UP Center for Integrative
and Development Studies (CIDS), UP Diliman Marine Science Institute (MSI),
UP Visayas College of Fisheries, and the UP National Institute of Geological
Sciences (NIGS).
During
the first quarter of the year 2000, the UP Arcoast Network has come out with
the first issue of the UP Arcoast Network Bulletin. This contains news, features,
perspectives, selected publications, and events related to archipelagic and
ocean studies. Two webpages have also been uploaded on the Internet. The main
webpage can be viewed at http://www.arcoast.org while the newsletter can be
visited at http://arcoastnews.tripod.com. These webpages have been disseminated
initially to a select group in order to gather their comments and suggestions
on the form and content.
Six
other projects were presented during the January 19 meeting (photos
below) by Dr. Zenaida B. Catalan of the UP Los Baños School of Environmental
Science and Management on “Across Island Transport of Hazardous Chemicals;”
Dr. Victor B. Maglambayan of NIGS on “Places of Geologic Interest for Tourists
in the Philippines;” Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy of MSI on “Running and Maintaining
Research Vessels in the Philippines;” Atty. Jay Batongbacal of IILS on “Philippine
Maritime Zone Mapping;” Dr. Jacinto on “Marine Scientific Research in the
Philippines and Neighboring Countries;” and Dr. Glenn D. Aguilar of the UP
Visayas Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology on “Philippine Marine
Transport Systems.”
Dr.
Diokno explained that one of the processes that was institutionalized at the
UP-CIDS, which serves as UP Arcoast Secretariat, is the presentation of project
proposals to peers in order to get comments “even before you have gone deep
into the project.” Such discussions can help the proponents in improving their
proposals. Then they will come back for a midterm presentation of their preliminary
reports which they will submit for further discussions. These will serve as
inputs to the preparation of their final reports which will again be discussed
by a multidisciplinary, multisectoral group.
