READY FOR CENSUS. The Philippine Statistics Authority in Davao Region has installed an information booth at SM City Davao to inform and assist Dabawenyos on the conduct of the Census on Population and Housing 2020. PSA-11 has called on the pubic to support the census and assured that data collection methods comply with health protocols. (Photo courtesy of PSA-11)
DAVAO CITY – Despite the pandemic being the biggest challenge for the 15th Census of Population and Housing (CPH) 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority in Davao Region (PSA-11) assured that the agency will complete its work by May next year.
PSA-11 head Pepito Amoyen said Wednesday the 2020 CPH could be different from the previous censuses with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, but added the agency has already taken measures to ensure that health protocols are observed for both the enumerators and respondents.
The census will start on September 1 and data collection is expected to end by May next year. The results will then be reported to President Rodrigo Duterte in the same month.
Meanwhile, Amoyen said the projection of the population as of July 2020 in Davao Region is at 5,290,869.
In instances that barangays or particular areas cannot be covered due to strict quarantine procedures, he said PSA would have to use "other options" to conduct the census.
"We have set standard operating procedures that for those involved in the conduct of the census must first touch base with the barangay for proper guidance on the situation of the area," he said.
He said PSA-11 hired 7,121 personnel, of the number, 5,792 were enumerators, 1,144-team supervisors, and 185-census area supervisors for the region.
Members of tribal communities were also hired as census workers and have already undergone a series of training.
The census aims to provide executives, policymakers, and planners with population and housing data on which to base their social and economic development plans, policies, and programs, Amoyen said.
The interviews will either be face-to-face or the telephone assisted interview but that depends on what option the respondent would prefer.
However, the enumerators will still visit the residence to check on the characteristic of the house, Amoyen added. (PNA)
