Saturday, August 04, 2007 P1.6B census budget is still not enough By Carlo P. Mallo
THE P1.6-billion budget allocated for the 2007 nationwide population census is not enough because this was a budget made in 2004 intended to be used in 2005.
The national census on population was supposed to have been held in 2005, but the Congress merely re-enacted the national budget in the years 2005 and 2006, thus no corresponding adjustments were made.
"We actually need a bigger budget," Regional Census Coordinating Board chair and National Economic Development Authority-Southern Mindanao head Nicasio Agustin said Friday. "The funding are not enough to cover all the expenses of the census."
In order to fill in the lack, Agustin said, they have sought the help of other national agencies in the region.
"We have to request from all government agencies to help us," Agustin said.
The result of the population census, which started last Wednesday, is expected to be released after one year.
"Around October 2008 next year," Agustin said as to the probable date of release of the census results.
He added that the results of the census will be made through a proclamation of the President.
