PSA Bataan undertakes geo tagging of building structures

Contributed by Ledesma L. Morante, PSA-Bataan

PILAR, Bataan – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Bataan Provincial Statistical Office is currently undertaking the enumeration for the 2018 Geo-tagging of Building Structures, as part of the preparation for the 2020 Census of Population and Housing where PSA hired Map Data Collectors (MDC) who will visit all barangays in the province starting April 2, 2018.

There are six MDCs who will geo tag (i. e. take pictures of) building structures and update the GIS based map using android tablet. Geo-tagging is the process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media  such  as  a  geotagged  photograph  or  video,  websites,  SMS  messages,  QR Codes or RSS feeds and is a form of geospatial metadata.

Prior to that, MDCs had to pay courtesy calls to the barangay official and canvass the area of assignment. Chief Statistical Specialist Ledesma L. Morante is likewise soliciting the support of the local government units and cooperation of the people for the smooth operation of the geotagging activity to avoid refusal of taking picture of their properties and other untoward incidents.

To ensure the good quality of outputs, the MDS underwent hiring process and the Third Level Training at PSA Bataan Provincial Statistical Office, Bataan Government Center Ala-uli, Pilar, Bataan from March 19 to 23, 2018.

The 2018 Geo-tagging of Buildings Structures is part of the Field  Updating  of  GIS-Based  Maps  and Validation  of  Sampling  Units which  is  a  five-year rolling  scheme  technology-aided  map  updating that  aims  to  prepare  the  Philippine  Statistics Authority (PSA) for the application of spatial analysis and intelligent visualization of information using dynamic digitized maps by 2020. 

The results of geo-tagging of buildings can also be used as guide in post-census evaluation, validation of sampling frame for household-based and industry-based surveys, and as basis for EA delineation of growth areas in preparation for the 2020 Census of Population and Housing.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is the major statistical agency responsible in collecting, compiling, classifying, producing, publishing, and disseminating general-purpose statistics as provided for in Republic Act 10625.  PSA’s function includes the preparation and conduct periodic censuses on population, housing, agriculture, fisheries, business, industry, and other sectors of the economy.