Google will sponsor Google Map Maker Summits in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The summit is envisioned to kick off Mapping Activities to help Philippine tourism and disaster preparedness all over the country with the use of Google Map Maker.
Google Map Maker allows you to add and update geographic information for millions of users to see in Google Maps and Google Earth. By sharing information about the places you know, like businesses in your town or places in your school campus, you can ensure the map accurately reflects the world around you. Your updates will be reviewed and once approved, will appear online for people from all over the world to see.
I personally have not tried using the Google Map Maker so I am really interested to join the summit. Part of the workshops are practical sessions on the use of Google Map Maker and orientations on Panoramio and Sketch Up. Map Makers and Mapping advocates from different parts of the country will also share their experience. The three summits will be facilitated bu a Google Geo Advocate Team with some flying in from Singapore and India. The event will be a whole day event, Registration is Free and Google will also sponsor the Lunch and Snacks. Participants are advised to bring their own Laptops.
The Visayas leg will be held at the Santuario de La Salle, University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City on April 12, 2012. Those interested may register here.
The Luzon leg will be held on April 14, 2012 at the University of Baguio in Baguio City. Those in Luzon may register here.
The Mindanao leg will be on April 21, 2012 at the STI Campus, J. Catolico Avenue, General Santos City. Register online here.
If you believe Negros is the Sweet Spot of the Philippines and you have idle time to spare, please volunteer in mapping out tourist spots in Bacolod and Negros. Aside from tourism, the information provided in Google Maps may also be used in disaster preparedness, so we need all the help we can get.