The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is urging the public to cooperate with the 2024 Census of Population (PopCen) and Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) enumerators and answer their questions truthfully to produce accurate data that will guide the government in delivering services effectively.
PSA-Negros Oriental officials made the call in view of the conduct of the 2024 PopCen-CBMS starting July 15.
PSA provincial head Engineer Ariel Fortuito said in a recent Kapihan sa PIA forum that the data collected in the two statistical surveys will serve as the basis for creating a “database” of individuals in need of government aid.
It will also guide policymakers in government in formulating better policies, services, and programs for specific sectors of society.
PSA supervising statistical specialist Felida Generoso disclosed in the same forum that the information collected by their enumerators will pertain to demographic characteristics, health, food security, assistance from abroad, education, migration, economic characteristics, disaster preparedness, internet access, social protection programs, water sanitation and hygiene, formal financial account, public safety, public transportation, and housing characteristics.
“My appeal to everyone is to answer our survey honestly. If we want to make government services more efficient, please help us,” Fortuito said.
“The result of the CBMS will be used as evidence-based data by all government agencies so they will know what the community actually needs,” he added.
The joint conduct of 2024 PopCen – CBMS is pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
“PBBM ordered PSA to conduct census this year and at the same time, simultaneously [carry out] CBMS to determine an updated list of beneficiaries for our social protection program,” said Generoso.
“We will be able to update the inventory of our population and update the list of beneficiaries of government social protection programs, thereby reducing pre-determined beneficiaries,” she added.
Generoso noted that the conduct of census is set every 10 years, with a mid-decade census every five years pursuant to existing laws and executive orders of the President.
However, Marcos decided to implement the census this year simultaneously with the conduct of the nationwide CBMS, saving the government some costs in holding two consecutive national statistical surveys.
Aside from updating the list of poor households, Generoso said another goal of the 2024 PopCen-CBMS is to determine the number of eligible voters for the midterm elections next year and the distribution of shares of local government units in the national tax allocation.
PSA is urging the public to welcome PSA enumerators in their homes and, if possible, leash their dogs and answer the questions honestly to generate accurate data.
PSA will also be visiting subdivisions, hospitals, boarding houses, dormitories, jail facilities, and other institutional shelters.
The 2024 PopCen-CBMS will run from July 15 to September 16.
Fortuito assured the public that all information disclosed to the enumerators will remain confidential. (PIA-7 Negros Oriental)