If you've found yourself frequently lost in a web of streets and locations, on Philippine Google Maps at least, then fret no more.

Google Inc. has just announced the launch of more accurate and updated maps of the Philippines, courtesy of the tireless efforts of hundreds of Filipinos who helped edit details of the country's locations on Google Map Maker, an application that allows users to edit Google Maps data online.

"The Philippines is one of the most challenging places to map because of the diverse topography of its more than 7,000 islands--this is why there is a dearth of accurate map data available online," Derek Callow, Google Southeast Asia Head of Marketing, said in a statement.

The application was launched in the Philippines in October 2008, which garnered tens of thousands of edits from Filipinos coming from all professions including civil engineers, business executives, programmers, entrepreneurs, and students. The users helped edit roads, streets, landmarks, and even business establishment locations nationwide.

Citizen cartographers

Armed with just a bit of tech-savvy and knowledge of your neighborhood, users can be "citizen cartographers" in their own right, and as the Google Map Maker motto says, "map your world."

"I'm passionate about editing maps and Google Map Maker's interface is very intuitive and user-friendly. It started out like a big jigsaw puzzle with many pieces missing. But when I saw the roads, street names and landmarks coming together on Google Map Maker, I felt really happy for my country and it encouraged me to contribute even more," Wayne Manuel, a top contributor to Google Map Maker said.

Manuel, a Chemical Engineering student at the National University of Singapore, said he liked to edit his birthplace, Tuguegarao, as well as his hometown, Baguio City.

Google Maps is a free web-mapping service application and technology provided by Google that powers many map-based services. Users need to sign up for a Google account in order to access Google Map Maker, which allows a users to contribute not just names of locations, but attributes, reviews, major event notices, and even road speeds at a particular street. Users can also become moderators and fact-checkers in particular neighborhoods.

Promoting RP

More than just helping people navigate, some users said editing the Philippines on Google Maps is also a way of promoting the country. 

"The reason I set out making edits is because I wanted to help promote the places that I grew up in and the country as a whole to the rest of the world. The mission continues and I hope even more Filipinos will join us on Google Map Maker to improve the online map of our beautiful country," said Bernard Arellano III, a call center agent who made thousands of edits on Guimaras Island and Iloilo. 

"I think it's important that local users keep the edits coming in because having accurate map data helps promote the country's viability to foreign investors and tourists," said Dante Varias, a civil engineer who edited Cavite. 

"This is a great start, but know there is much more to do, so we encourage you to join your fellow Pinoys and contribute to Google Map Maker to give the Philippines an accurate virtual country map to be proud of," Callow said. (abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak)

---

INTERACT WITH THIS ARTICLE