Google Street View Lands in Manila

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  By Cris Larano

  
  

Google

Google Street View cars are being deployed in Manila to capture images for use in the popular map-based feature.

MANILA—Google has just set new sights on the Philippines, bringing people around the world close to some of the country’s ancient fortresses and historic churches.

On Tuesday the tech-giant began capturing images of the Philippines for Street View – a feature on Google Maps and Google Earth that allows users to virtually explore cities at ground level.

The company, which started on the streets of Manila using equipment called a trekker, will work its way through the capital before moving on to capture the rest of the Philippines’ more than 7,000 islands. Google says it hopes to capture more off-road, natural and indoor destinations.

To collect the 360-degree imagery used in the service, the company will deploy specially equipped Street View cars to take photographs of both cities and historic sites.

In Manila, it will initially focus on four areas in historic Intramuros – the former seat of the country during 400 years of Spanish rule. Images taken Tuesday by Google using its mobile equipment are already available online.

Google is undertaking the project together with the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, and special street views are being prepared for San Agustin, the oldest stone church in the Philippines; and Fort Santiago, the Spanish fortress that served as a prison for national hero and revolutionary Jose Rizal, who was executed by a firing squad in 1896.

Baluarte de San Diego, one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros, and Plaza San Luis, a complex comprising several houses built in Hispanic architectural style will also be featured.

Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said during Tuesday’s launch that the partnership with Google would help “entice” more people to learn about the Philippines and visit, giving a boost to the tourism industry. The government aims to attract 10 million tourists to the country in 2016 from a little over four million last year.

The Street View feature will eventually allow visitors to glimpse hotels and other destinations, helping them navigate the country as they plan their trips.

Ryan Morales, the marketing manager for  Google Philippines, said providing more useful map information could have a “lasting economic impact” on the country by attracting more tourists and encouraging domestic travel.

Street View first started in the U.S. and has since been launched in dozens of countries, including neighboring Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

The company has faced privacy issues in the past, since its Street View data capture panoramic images in real-time. Some people have expressed deep concern about their personal data being recorded and potentially seen by millions of Street View users.

Mr. Morales said Tuesday that faces and cars plate numbers will be blurred. He didn’t provide a deadline for when the first batch of data would be ready.

Google Street View Lands in Manila