Thursday, June 21, 2012

NSO Veers Digitized Maps For Aklan


The National Statistics Office has launched the 2012 census mapping operation in Aklan. It started on June 7 and ends on September 30, 2012 aimed to produce accurate and reliable digitized maps at the barangay or enumeration area level using the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

According to Mr. Blas M. Solidum, Provincial Statistics Officer of NSO-Aklan, “maps are very important in surveys and censuses of NSO to ensure complete coverage of an area, easily locate buildings and housing units, and identify boundaries in the area of assignment. That is why maps should be precise and complete and must conform to the standard set by the office”.

Solidum pointed out that in the past, manually drawn and prepared maps were given to teachers or enumerators during censuses/surveys for them to update, and reflect the important landmarks as well as boundaries which most often were defective.

“With this new technology, it is hoped that defective maps will be a thing of the past”, Solidum stressed.

About ten (10) map data collectors and processors equipped with sufficient knowledge and skills in using digital mapping technology were hired by NSO Aklan to map the 327 barangays in the province of Aklan.

Based on the GIS, there are 120 barangays in Aklan with high resolution Google earth images. Boundaries, roads, and prominent landmarks of these barangays will be verified by map data collectors, as well as update the digitized maps while those areas without high resolution Google earth images will be mapped using the Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver.

PSO Solidum requests the support and cooperation of all local government officials and Aklanons to ensure the efficient and successful conduct of mapping undertaking in Aklan. /MP 

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