Engr. Ralph Pablo has been declared an Outstanding Geodetic Engineer by the Professional Regulations Commission.
A stalwart in the geodetic practice in the Philippines fully engaged in the pursuit of a reliable land survey in the country as a foundation for developmental efforts and the advancement of a responsive land information system, Engr. Ralph C. Pablo has silently yet effectively played a big role in allowing geodesy to shape national development.
Owing to his long career in the Geodetic practice dating back in 1985 as a Surveyman for the Bureau of Lands in Region 2, he acquired a firm grasp of the importance of geodetic controls in a country that can cope with the changing requirements of economic development. Hence, 25 years later in his stint as the Director of the Land Management Bureau (LMB), he started the operationalization of the Land Administration Management System (LAMS) that saw the digitalization of Land Records and of the Inspection, Verification and Approval of Surveys (IVAS). He also initiated the installation of LAMS e-Survey Plan to guarantee a faster approval process through Digital Land Survey Data (DLSD) which provides a faster survey returns verification and approval process. He is also responsible for the conduct of Inventory, Sorting and Grooming (ISG) of all Land Records in the 16 Regional Offices, including their respective CENROs and PENROs. But none of these compare to the fact that it was this unassuming fellow that spearheaded the completion of the Cadastral Survey Project in the country, his legacy, a timeless extension of his hard work and dedication to his craft that everyone in the geodetic practice will cherish forever.
Already wielding enormous influence in his chosen profession, he never failed to continue supporting and empowering his comrades. Through his leadership, a calibration baseline was established in Clark, Pampanga to ease the burden of geodetic engineers who used to bring their equipment to Manila for calibration. With such initiative, he was able to successfully gain the support of the Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines, Incorporated (GEPI) in the continued improvement of LAMS in its Asset Reform Program.
In addition, he was also very engaged in the in-house training conducted on Basic Mapping, Aerial Photo Interpretation and Manual Geographic Information System in all DENR Regional Offices in the country. He likewise led the crafting and review of the Manual on Land Survey Procedure in the Philippines in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Policy Review Committee of the LMB.
Not resting on the laurels of his own successes in the field, he extended his contribution to the geodetic practice by conducting and publishing a study entitled: “Cadastral Survey Program: Its Perceived Effects on the Economic Development of the Province of Batanes.”
For his exemplary professional contributions, he was accorded the International Golden Award in full recognition of his meritorious and dedicated services rendered to the people, impressed with the seal of excellence, high sense of honor coupled with true devotion as a civic leader in the community with a resounding manifestation of integrity. He is also a recipient of the Maharlika Award – Outstanding Civil Engineer for his admirable contributions to his chosen field of endeavor in 1990. In 1991, he was recognized as the Model Employee of the Year in DENR-Cagayan Region and received the same citation in 1993 as a member of the Technical Services. He was also one of the Top Ten DENR Employees commended by Secretary Angel C. Alcala in 1994. He became the Model Section Chief of the Year in 1995 and 1996. He was also awarded the Most Outstanding Geodetic Engineer of the Philippines (Academe Category) in 1997; the Most Outstanding CENR Officer Northern Luzon Area in 2001; Most Outstanding Geodetic Engineer of the Philippines (North Luzon Area) in 2002; Most Outstanding Geodetic Engineer of the Philippines (Gov’t. Sector) in 2007; Outstanding Geodetic Engineer in the Government Service in 2013; Regional Executive Director of the Best DENR – Regional Office in 2017 and 2019; with his leadership, DENR-CAR bagged the first R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award in 2019. He was also handed a Plaque of Recognition on Environmental Award for Governance and Leadership Excellence (EAGLE) as a Top 5 finalist for his outstanding performance as a Regional Executive Director and Plaque of Recognition for the exemplary performance of DENR-CAR as a Top performer in the implementation of Land Administration and Management Programs and Activities in 2019. A similar EAGLE award was recently received by him for the year 2021 as one of the Top 5 finalists among Regional Executive Directors of the DENR nationwide. Finally, he was chosen as the 2022 Outstanding Professional of the Year in the field of Geodetic Engineering by the Professional Regulation Commission.
As a consistent officer of the GEP from the Regional Division to the National Directorate, he was able to promote the professional welfare and advancement of its members through comprehensive development programs and seminars; intensified information and education campaigns of all programs and projects of the GEP; invitation of experts for the presentation of state-of-the-art surveying technology and the creation of a good working relationship with concerned agencies in the Geodetic Engineering profession such as the DENR, PRC, DAR, DILG and the LRA.
Through the years, he was a former National President of the GEPI (2013-2014); National Board of Governor (2004-2005), North Luzon Area Assembly Chairman (2004-2005) and Regional President of Regional Division II (2005-2006, 2007-2008); North Luzon Area Assembly Board of Director (2007-2008); Regional Vice President in 2003-2004, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
Besides his commitment with the GEPI, he is also a member of the Philippine Institutes of Civil Engineers, Philippine Institutes of Environmental Planners, Vice Chairperson of the Lands Integrated Cooperative, Member of the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic (CAR Region), the Press Relation Officer of the Association of Career Executive (ACE), President of the Gosi National High School Alumni Association and President of the Barangay Gosi Sur Pastoral Council.
An educator, environmental planner, astute engineer (civil and geodetic), a revered leader, a dedicated public servant and a Career Executive Service Officer III, with the hard work and excellence he has invested in all his involvements, his legacy is forever intact.
