ILOILO City – In the ongoing 2024 Census of Population – Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CBMS), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) appealed for public cooperation by providing honest information to enumerators even as it warned people of possible impostors.
“The census is vital as we rely on accurate and truthful information from households; this forms the basis of our planning and policy-making,” explained Ma. Gorette Novilla, supervising statistical specialist and officer-in-charge of PSA-Iloilo.
How can people be sure they are interacting with genuine government census enumerators and not impostors with sinister motivations?
The census officially started on July 15. To help households in Western Visayas verify the authenticity of census enumerators, the PSA has released guidelines.
Novilla said enumerators are typically local residents familiar to the community.
If not from the local area, enumerators will make courtesy calls to barangay officials with their team supervisors to prevent any misunderstanding.
To further authenticate their identity, enumerators will wear uniforms with the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS logo or a temporary PSA logo t-shirt if uniforms are not yet available.
Each enumerator will also carry an ID card displaying their name, age, address, contact number, and signatures from both the enumerator and a PSA official. They are equipped with tablets for data collection.
PSA Region 6 director Nelida Amolar said impersonating an enumerator carries penalties. Following any complaints, an investigation is promptly conducted, and legal actions are pursued through the PSA – Central Office.
The census covers various household aspects including demographics, education, health, economic characteristics, and more, aimed at enhancing public policies and programs to improve the lives of Filipinos.
Amolar reassured the public that enumerators will not collect confidential information such as passwords or bank accounts and are not authorized to request money or other valuables from households.
The POPCEN-CBMS, a national government initiative spearheaded by the PSA, aims to enhance government responses to reduce poverty and ensure inclusive economic improvement. The data collected will also help identify eligible beneficiaries for social protection programs.
A total of 6,388 enumerators have been hired across the region to visit households until September 16, 2024, including Saturdays and holidays.
While the PSA funds enumerator positions in provinces, urbanized cities like Iloilo City and Bacolod City receive funding from their respective local government units (LGUs).
Here’s the breakdown of hired enumerators per province and highly urbanized cities in Region 6:
* Aklan – 618
* Antique – 395
* Capiz – 704
* Guimaras – 175
* Iloilo – 1,829
* Negros Occidental – 1,993
* City of Iloilo – 333
* City of Bacolod – 405
The rationale of the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS:
* Update the population of reflect the current demography
* Streamline the list of beneficiaries of government social protection programs thereby reducing leakages
* Provide information on the distribution of shares of LGUs in the National Tax Allocation
* Aid in the implementation of the recently signed Republic Act No. 11964 or the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act
* Guide the efficient use of government resources
The data derives from the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS will form as the basis for formulating policies, programs, and projects in various sectors such as health, education, employment, housing, and infrastructures among others.
These data may be used as a guide for resource allocation, political and administrative unit creation, redistricting, and business site selection.
Additionally, the statistics generated may facilitate research, academic studies, and population growth projections at booth national and sub-national levels, enabling comprehensive analysis and informed decision-making, according to the PSA./PN