Saturday, August 04, 2007

National Census 2007: Updating our statistical base to refine development interventions

THE 12th Census of Population (Popcen) has started. To be conducted for 25 days this month, the Popcen is led by the National Statistics Office (NSO).


The NSO has mobilized over 37,000 census enumerators, 7,000 team supervisors, and 2,000 census area managers who will augment the field staff of the (NSO). These enumerators will cover every household nationwide to gather information such as the number of people residing in the house, age, sex, marital status, education, and other demographic, social, and economic characteristics.

Aside from households, institutional populations such as those in hospitals, penitentiaries, military camps, convents, and seminaries will also be covered. Household units in exclusive subdivisions and condominiums will also be enumerated, using a self-administered questionnaire to be filled up by the household head or any responsible member of the household.

We urge the public to actively participate in the census. By allotting some time to enable the enumerators to gather the information or to fill out the self-administered forms, every responsible household member will contribute to the updating of the statistics that will guide the development efforts of the government. As pointed out in Executive Order No. 121, the Reorganization Act of the Philippine Statistical System, the census information is important in the formulation of national and local development plans and programs.

We commend the National Statistics Office, led by Administrator Carmelita N. Ericta, and their partners in the census, chiefly local statistics coordinating councils, for effectively preparing and taking on the challenge of the gigantic task that is the 12th Census of Population.

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