LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to launch a geotagging system for service and repair enterprises (SRE) along major roads in the region next year.
This initiative aims to help drivers quickly locate the nearest accredited repair shops during vehicle breakdowns.
Ralph Charles Cu, a senior trade industry development specialist at the DTI regional office, explained that users who need assistance will be able to access the system by scanning a QR code.
Once scanned, users will be directed to information about the closest accredited repair shops and the services they provide through a Google Map that shows real-time locations.
The QR codes will be strategically placed in visible locations along highways, including gas stations, transport terminals, restaurants, and other establishments.
Cu said that DTI Bicol has already coordinated with the Philippine National Police’s Highway Patrol Group to help install the QR codes during the official launch.
He added that the system will also promote the accredited SREs involved in motorcycle and automotive repair in the region.
“The purpose of the system is to provide support to commuters and drivers in need of vehicle assistance. It enhances their safety, reduces travel delays, and ensures a more convenient trip,” Cu said in Filipino.
He noted that the first phase of the system is completed and ready for launch early next year.
DTI Regional Director Dindo Nabol said that this initiative is the first of its kind in the country and may be adopted nationwide depending on the project’s success.
“This will also benefit our SREs by increasing their customer base and consequently, their income,” Nabol said.
He said that the idea for this project stemmed from his personal experience over a year ago when he faced a vehicle breakdown while traveling home to Bicol through Atimonan, Quezon.
The lack of accessible online information connecting drivers with nearby service and repair shops can lead to significant inconvenience during emergencies, he said.
Nabol suggested that the SRE geotagging system in Bicol could serve as a model for implementation in other regions. Source: PIA Bicol