Tuesday, July 17, 2007 2007 population census to take off by August
ENUMERATORS would be going around housing units, buildings, and living quarters the whole month of August to get some vital data for the 2007 mid-decade census of population (PopCen).
The National Statistics Office (NSO), the lead for the PopCen, is the major statistical agency responsible for generating general statistics and for undertaking censuses and surveys. The census was supposed to be conducted in 2005 but was pursued only this year due to budgetary constraints.
Conducted every 10 years, the census would update information on the count of the population and some of its demographic and socio-economic characteristics.
NSO Regional Director Olivia Gulla said the purpose of the census is to provide government planners, policy makers, and administrators with data as basis for social and economic development plans and programs.
The uses of the census data for the government, aside from formulation of policies and preparation of plans and programs, is for redistricting and apportionment of congressional seats, allocation of resources and revenues and creation of political administrative units.
This is also relevant in business and industry in determining sites for establishing businesses, determining consumer demands for various goods and services and determining supply of labor for the production of goods and services.
The data is also important in the conduct of researches on population and other disciplines in research and academic institutions.
Covered are those people who are alive as of the morning of 12:01 August 1, 2007, said Gulla. If respondent is not available for interview, a self-administered questionnaire would be filled up by the respondent.
Relative to the conduct of the PopCen, a Regional Census Coordinating Board (RCCB) was created to assist the NSO with facilities, publicity and cost sharing of resources to ensure the successful conduct of the census.
Chaired by National Economic and Development Authority Regional Director Juan Ngalob, RCCB is composed of 31 line agencies.
August is also declared as National Statistics Month as per National Statistics Coordination Board Resolution 6-2007.
