The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will undertake the 2018 Geotagging of Building Structures starting April 2018 for identified sample barangays in the entire country. The 2018 geotagging activity is a five-year rolling scheme technology-aided map updating that aims to validate the sampling frame for household-based surveys and to prepare the PSA for the application of spatial analysis and intelligent visualization of information using dynamic digitized maps by 2020.

The activity started in 2016 and it will cover sample barangays/Primary Sampling Units scheduled for 2017 - 2018 Labor Force Survey (LFS) rounds and other household-based surveys. For the next three years, the geo-tagging of building structures is geared to develop digital building footprints in the Philippines and to augment regular field updating of GIS-based maps. The results of geotagging 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 enumeration area delineation in preparation for the 2020 Census of Population and Housing.

Specifically, the purpose of conducting the geotagging activity is to identify and mark building structures as points in the digitized maps and to attribute these buildings with pertinent geographical information for use in various, statistical undertaking of the PSA.

Recognizing the important roles of the personnel to be involved in this activity, series of trainings were conducted for the familiarization of the concepts, procedures, and instructions. This is to ensure that all personnel to be involved are properly equipped with the technical skills to carry out their duties and responsibilities.

The data collected under the Geotagging of Building Structures shall be covered by the confidentiality of information clause under Section 26 of RA 10625, which stipulates that individual data furnished by a respondent to statistical inquiries, surveys and censuses of the PSA shall be considered privileged information and such shall be inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding.

The PSA, enjoins the cooperation of the residents and officials of the sample barangays for the successful conduct of the 2018 Geotagging of Building Structures which will run until August 2018.