PSA kicks-off geotagging of Region 8 buildings

TACLOBAN CITY, May 22-- The four-month table-aided geotagging of building structures in Eastern Visayas has already started to come up with accurate reliable digitized maps for the use in survey activities, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) regional office here said on Monday.

Hired map data collectors wearing official PSA identification cards have started the activity by taking pictures of the building facade using tablets installed with digitize maps and Global Positioning System. 

PSA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Wilma Perante said the activity started May 8 and would end on August 31 this year.

The geotagging activity is a component of the five-year rolling scheme field updating of Geographic Information System (GIS)-based maps and validation of sampling units, which aims to prepare the PSA for the application of spatial analysis and intelligent visualization of information using dynamic digitized maps by 2020.

“It aims to come up with accurate reliable digitized maps for the use in the post-census evaluation, validation of sampling frame for household-based and industry-based surveys, and as basis for delineation of growth areas in preparation for the 2020 Census of Population and Housing,” Perante said in a statement.

The main purpose of conducting the geotagging activity is to identify and mark building structures as points in the digitized maps and attributing these buildings with the pertinent geographical information in the barangays.

The public is assured that all information collected in this activity will be kept strictly confidential and will not be used for investigation, taxation and law enforcement purposes as provided under Republic Act 10625 known as “Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System”.

The PSA called for the public, especially local officials, to support the geotagging activity by accommodating its data collectors who would visit villages as they gather information on buildings. (PSA-PR/PNA)