“We don’t just build maps, we build mappers.” This statement echoed the empowering vision of the University of the Philippines (UP) Resilience Institute (RI) YouthMappers, during its launch event last August 18, 2018, held at the National Institute of Geology’s Audio Visual Room, in UP Diliman.
The UP RI Youth Mappers chapter is the second chapter in the Philippines and its launching event was organized by UP RI, Map the Philippines (MapPH) and by the three YouthMappers student leaders: Joy Gonzalez, Paolo Pamintuan and King Louie Labadan.
The event was filled with informative talks, with Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of UP RI, discussing the mapping efforts of UP RI and the importance of youth volunteering. Celina Agaton, founder of MapPH and frequent partner of UP RI, presented about the collaborative efforts of MapPH, UPRI and OpenStreetMap (OSM) in helping build resilience in the Philippines in order to reach the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Meanwhile, Eugene Villar, president of OSM Philippines, talked about how OSM has been used in the Philippines, its mapping parties and how it helped with the humanitarian efforts during Yolanda.
One of the UP RI Youth Mappers student leader, Iris Joy Gonzales, also took time to discuss the upcoming plans of the YouthMappers chapter. Also, Dr. Mahar Lagmay will serve as the adviser of the UP RI Youth Mappers chapter.
Dr. Mahar Lagmay talking about the role of maps in disaster risk reduction.
Ms. Celina Agaton of Map the Philippines.
Eugene Villar, President of OSM Philippines.
Iris Joy Gonzales discussing future plans.
This post originally appeared on the UP Resilience Institute website on 30 August 2018.