As most establishments in the Philippines close due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) making it both hard and risky to go out to buy goods, a website is launched to help locate those that are still open.

Called ‘Crowd Store Finder’, the website works like Waze or Google Maps that scans through the user’s neighborhood to find stores, banks, pharmacies, and remittance centers that remain operational.

Under government guidelines, only establishments selling basic commodities are allowed to open during the quarantine period. This is to prevent people from staying outdoors that increases their risk of catching COVID-19.

Aside from knowing the open establishments, users can also chat with their neighbors who are currently using the website to ask questions and seek further assistance.

‘Crowd Store Finder’ relies on information shared by volunteers from Good Vibes Digital PH, a group organized by Trinmar Boado, winner of the Clash of Codes competition at Multisys Technologies in 2019.

Boado, who works at the Department of Science and Technology’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), said more than 100 volunteers are coordinating safely from their own homes.

“This technology reminds us that sharing of info does not just save the time of other people but also their lives,” shared the IT expert.

To use the website, visit bit.ly/CrowdStoreFinder on any mobile, tablet or computer devices. Follow Crowd Store Finder on Facebook at fb.com/CrowdStoreFinder.