Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

A century ago almost all maps were printed on paper. With advances in technologies we now find maps in any other formats. Mapping activities are on the rise as more and more data become available and computer software takes over the tasks of processing the data. The methods used for creating maps have changed dramatically during the past ten years. The map production process consists of several discreet components from an initial design concept through the completion of the map in its final form.

The functionality of maps has been greatly advanced by technology. In electronic maps having local information within the map allows more efficient analysis and better decision making. Usually traditional maps are used for general reference but in our digital world many local and regional governments maintain databases for the storage of information. In this environment maps are generated as they are needed because the database is updated constantly.

Information System (IS) is a part of the development of electronic mapping nowadays. IS are set of components for collecting, storing, and processing data and for delivering information, knowledge, and digital products. Hence, mapping system is said to be classified as a Geographical Information System (GIS).

A Geographic Information System, or GIS, is an organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data and functionality, accessed by the GIS user capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS allows us to view, understand,question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal patterns and trends in the form of maps.

Making decisions based on geography is basic to human thinking. Where we shall go, what will it be like, and what shall we do when we get there are applied to the simple event. By understanding geography and people’s relationship to location, we can make informed decisions about the way we live on our planet.

1.1 Background of the Study
The barangay is the smallest administrative division of our government and the barangay officials are the first unit responsible for their constituents. Municipalities are the urban local governments that deal with civic functions and local development functions in the municipal area. In order for them to give the necessities to their jurisdiction, usually they are conducting mapping and survey within the area. As for the duties of barangay officials they are responsible for giving the information needed by the local government.

Taguig City under the administration of Mayor Lani Cayetano, recently, initiated the integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Business Mapper into their Survey System. The goal of the said GIS integration into Taguig’s survey is to facilitate business licensing, assessment, zoning, public safety and crime mapping, urban planning, health disease mapping, risk assessment management, and many other uses. House to house survey is conducted to gather information needed and drawings of map to locate houses are done manually by the enumerator of the barangay. As the requirements are completed transferring of all gathered information are forwarded to the local government.

For the enumerator of the barangay who does the fieldwork of survey and mapping, usually problem occurs when collection of data is kept manually. If there is only a system that will provide them to collect data and storing of files using technology, then it will be easier for them to update such records and transferring of records in a possible secured way.

The proposed system is an Electronic Mapping Information System wherein it has a collection of map images, information, and methods that process data and make it available for Graphical User Interface (GUI). The system is classified as Geographical Information System (GIS). On the computer screen, map users can scan map in any direction making it very interactive. The user can choose whether to see the address of a resident or view some housing data information such as residential status, head count, family members inclusion of name, date of birth, age and sex.

1.2 Objective of the Study
General Objectives:

The proponents aim to develop a system that will help officials of barangay to improve and minimize time consuming process such as retrieving, storing and updating basic information of a household within the barangay and presenting graphical map information.

Specific Objectives:

Develop a system that will help the barangay to easily locate residences by means of searching through database.

To speed up the time consuming process such as adding, deleting, retrieving and monitoring of basic information regarding on the population count and status of all the barangay residences.

To provide a stable generation of reports and speed up update of information.

To ensure the security of the information by using database as means of record keeping.

1.3 Statement of the Problem
In generating and updating reports, and ensuring the accuracy of it, the enumerator of the barangay has to check each record before issuing it to the local government. But if the records are presented in a very accessible way it will be an easy task for the enumerator to retrieve and transfer data. The current system being used by the enumerator eventually causes various difficulties and these states the ff.:

How to develop a module that will lessen the time consumed in retrieving household information?

How to develop a module that will speed up the generation of necessary reports?

How to develop a module that will store files accurately and in a secured manner?

1.4 Scopes and Limitations
To provide the barangay a more secured record keeping, a module for monitoring and maintaining records and generating a faster and efficient necessary report, the proponents will be using a relational database management system, SQL Server as a database server whose primary function is to store and retrieve data. The proponents will be also using Microsoft Visual Basic 6 or higher version for developing the system.

For the limitations of the proposed system here are as follows: The system does not include changes of images with regards in the graphical presentation of the map.

Due to confidentiality of information the system is not intended for public use.

1.5 Significance of the Study
The proposed Electronic Mapping Information System of Barangay San Miguel benefits the following:

To the Enumerator
It will lessen and minimize its work. This will provide more time for surveying and storing it in the database.

To the Barangay
The system will provide more efficient and accurate monitoring, retrieving and reports generation before transferring collected stored data to the local government.

To the Residents
The system will provide basic and accurate information of the residents for they will be prioritized in terms of community development.

To the Local Government
This will ensure a faster acquiring and monitoring of gathered survey data, hence residents will be given priority in terms of giving their necessities.

To the Future Researchers
This will enhance their knowledge in system development and programming. This will provide them additional knowledge and encourage developing their skills in IT professions.

1.6 Definition of Terms

Technical terms

Technology – applying a systematic technique, method or approach to solve a problem. System – often refers to the operating system, the master control program that runs the computer. Data – any form of information whether on paper or in electronic form. Data may refer to any electronic file no matter what the format: database data, text, images, audio and video.

Interactive – The back-and-forth dialog between the user and the computer. Update – To change data in a file or database.

Module – A self-contained hardware or software component that interacts with a larger system. Digital – Data technology that uses discrete (discontinuous) values. Accuracy – The degree to which the result of a measurement, calculation, or specification conforms to the correct value or a standard. Efficient – Preventing the wasteful use of a particular resource. Programming – The action or process of writing computer programs.

Geography – The study of the physical features of the earth and it’s atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use, and industries. Retrieval – The operation of accessing information from the computer’s memory. Enumerator – who collected the information for the census from the householder and recorded it.

Operational Term

Computer software – organized collections of computer data and instructions, often broken into two major categories: system software that provides the basic non-task-specific functions of the computer, and application software which is used by users to accomplish specific tasks.

Database – an application that manages data and allows fast storage and retrieval of that data. Information System – a business application in the computer made up of the database, application programs and manual and machine procedures. It also encompasses the computer systems that do the processing. Geographic Information System – system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data. Graphical User Interface – the common method of interacting with a computer that allows any graphics image to be displayed on screen. Database Management System – software that controls the organization, storage, retrieval, security and integrity of data in a database. Database Server – A computer in a network that is dedicated to database storage and retrieval. It holds the database management system and the databases.