TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 8 (Eastern Visayas) will deploy about 6,162 enumerators and supervisors to conduct the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) under the “new normal” situation.
Mae Almonte, chief of PSA-8’s statistical operations and coordination division, said despite community quarantine restrictions, they have been preparing to carry out the 25-day survey starting September 1.
“These enumerators and supervisors will be supplied with personal protective materials, like face masks, face shields, hand sanitizers, tissue papers, liquid soap, and uniform. They are mandated to strictly observe physical distancing and follow other health protocols during interviews,” Almonte said in a phone interview on Friday.
The census will cover population count, demography and socioeconomic characteristics, types of houses and household, and barangay data.
The PSA aims to cover the region’s 4,390 villages in seven cities and 136 towns.
The upcoming CPH, the 15th to be conducted in the country, was supposed to start last May 4 but was moved four months later due to the pandemic that has restricted the people’s movement.
The 2020 population census will be a nationwide government undertaking that involves the collection, compilation, evaluation, analysis, publication, and dissemination of data on population count, demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population, housing characteristics, household characteristics, and barangay characteristics in each village, city, municipality, province, and region in the country.
The census also aims to provide government executives, policymakers, and planners with population and housing data on which to base their social and economic development plans, policies, and programs.
The PSA has asked all agencies and local government units in Eastern Visayas to support the 2020 CPH through technical assistance and funding. (PNA)