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Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Gov’t lacks funds to hold census next year: NSO 7
THE government does not have enough funds for the mid-decade census on population next year, the National Statistics Office (NSO) 7 announced yesterday.
Because of this, local government units (LGUs) may be faced with problems in drafting economic and development plans and even budgets for basic services for the next fiscal year.
Proposals for the creation of new cities, municipalities and barangays will also be put on hold.
Advisory
NSO 7 Acting Director Nick Gultiano confirmed that NSO Central Office sent them an advisory last month, announcing the cancellation of the census since there are no available funds for it.
Candida Taghap, NSO 7 accountant, said the 2000 census on population cost P37,984,000 for Region 7 alone.
But in the absence of updated records, government officials will have to rely on projections based on available population data in setting aside funds for basic services for the next budget year.
Plans
Government planners may also have to use existing population records in drafting development and economic plans.
Noel Rafols, NSO 7 information officer, confirmed that results of the census are useful to LGUs in preparing the budget for services like health, education and housing.
Increases in the Internal Revenue Allotment of LGUs, the creation of new cities, municipalities and barangays are based on updated population records, Rafols said.
Provincial Planning Officer Adolfo Quiroga said that since the latest population data is from the 2000 census, they have been using projections based on the growth rate of 3.07 percent.
Since records of the 2000 census were available in 2003, they have been using the figures to assess the number and size of hospitals needed per municipality, the length of roads, the number of school buildings among others.
They are doing an analysis of the population records to determine, for example, the number of women or how many Cebuanos are of working age and are incorporating these data in the development planning.
In 2010 yet
Gultiano said in yesterday’s Association of Government Information Officers 7 forum that the next census, which will be on population and housing, will be in 2010.
Rafols said that under Batas Pambansa 72, a census on population and housing must be done every 10 years starting in 1980.
However, population records should be updated every five years. Next year’s house-to-house count will have cost about P1 billion, Rafols said.
In time for the observance of the 15th National Statistics Month, Merlyn Rodriguez of Population Commission 7 also discussed in yesterday’s forum that if the 13th Congress passes House Bill 16, it will mean an implementation of population control measures at the LGU level. (CYR)
(October 6, 2004 issue)
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