The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Office conducts the Augmented System for Travel Information using GIS Technology (ASTIG Tech) 2022 from June 13, 2022 to July 28, 2022.

As part of PSA’s innovation in integrating technological advancements and as a result of the increasing needs for reliable data, the Census Planning and Coordination Division (CPCD) of the National Censuses Service (NCS) in collaboration with the Systems Development Division (SDD) of Information Technology and Dissemination Service (ITDS) and Geodata Systems Technologies Inc., will launch the final roll-out of the Augmented System for Travel Information using GIS Technology (ASTIG Tech).

The GIS-based system aims to integrate geospatial component by plotting and digitizing vector map to the available travel routes within the area as reference to PSA field operation. The system will serve as basis in determining the expected travelling expenses and man-hours required for the PSA personnel especially during census and survey operations.

Moreover, necessary information will be integrated in the travel information including fare matrix, road type, mode of travel, frequency of trips, duration of travel, among others that can be used as reference by the PSA in the conduct of field operations. All travel route information will be encoded and validated using the ASTIG tech Web Application and all routes will be plotted using the ArcGIS Pro.

A three-day training prior to the project was conducted at the PSA- Regional Statistical Services Office I (RSSO I) Conference Room, City of San Fernando, La Union from June 8-10, 2022. The training aimed to orient the hired Regional Clerk and Assistant Statisticians (AS) in the region and in the Provincial Statistical Offices regarding the ASTIG Tech operational procedures and to test the system that will be used in this undertaking.

Two hired Assistant Statisticians together with the Mapping Provincial Focal Person (PFP) will coordinate with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and with all the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the province to gather data relevant to the project. The PSA assures the public that all data and information collected by the hired personnel are for statistical purposes only and shall not be used for the purposes of taxation or investigation.   Information obtained from the respondents shall be accorded strictly confidential as provided under Republic Act 10625. 

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

/LGSB/MBL