CADLAN, Pili, Camarines Sur -- Yesterday, August 1, 2007, marked an all-too significant event in the lives of Filipinos as it ushered a most opportune time for them to be “counted” as citizens of the republic.

        By virtue of Executive Order 121, otherwise known as the Reorganization Act of the Philippines Statistical System, the National Statistics Office (NSO) shall be the major statistical agency that shall be responsible for generating general-purpose statistics and for undertaking such censuses and surveys as may be designated by the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB). There is a need to conduct the Census of Population (POPCEN) in order to update the information regarding population count and some of its demographic and socio-economic characteristics.

        In keeping with the national government’s thrust to decentralize functions to the local government units, the need for an up-to-date and comprehensive data of the population at the local levels was addressed by the local NSO by organizing the Provincial Census Coordinating Board (PCCB) of Camarines Sur. A meeting for this purpose was conducted last July 31, 207 at the Eco-Village, Capitol Complex, Pili, Camarines Sur. Heading the NSO team was Provincial Statistics Officer Ms. Editha Solares. Present during the meeting were representatives from the PNP Provincial Command, DepEd, and heads of offices of the Provincial Government. The Board, tasked to assist the NSO with the facilities, publicity, execution of operational plans and directives of the NSCB, shall be headed by Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte. The local government code sets the population census counts as benchmarks for the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) and for the creation of new or the conversion to a higher level of local government units.

        The last national census of population was conducted in 1995. Executive Order No. 352, Designation of Statistical Activities That Will Generate Critical Data for Decision¬Making of the Government and the Private Sector designates the conduct of the Mid¬Decade Census of Population every ten years. Because of budgetary constraints, census was not conducted in 2005, and in lieu of which, the 2007 POPCEN was planned.

        The PCCD-NSO meeting became a venue for a free-wheeling discussion of issues and concerns relative to LGUs and population matters. Provincial Budget Officer Fortunato “Ato” Pena suggested that inasmuch as the NSO is the only agency with the mandate and capacity to gather vital and reliable information on demography and population, it might as well gather and provide essential information to serve as guides for LGUs and various stakeholders in their decision-making and policy-direction functions. Well taken as the suggestion may be, but the NSO quoted a restriction in providing data for non-census related concerns and purposes like taxation or law enforcement, for instance.

        The reference date for POPCEN 2007 was set at 12:01 AM of August 1, 2007. Forty census area supervisors, 120 team supervisors, and 760 enumerators underwent rigid training to ensure proper administration of survey in the 35 municipalities and two cities of Camarines Sur. Census variables covered a wider scope than in the past. A barangay questionnaire is provided where details about the community water system, number of establishments, and other relevant factors about the population are solicited. Variables on housing characteristics like tenure status, roof and wall materials are also covered and will be treated as economic indicators in the analysis of data.

        The NSO made clear the Terms of Reference and participation of the PCCB in the census undertaking, foremost of which is the assistance in publicity, information campaign and communications. Such assistance shall be on a cost-sharing basis within the limits of resources of parties concerned.

        Reiterating its function to establish appropriate mechanism for statistical coordination at the provincial level, Ms. Solares expressed her gratitude for the support their office is receiving and her conviction that with the cooperation of all people concerned, POPCEN 2007 will be successfully implemented. She likewise emphasized the call for all residents of Camarines Sur to be “counted” so as to rightfully deserve, assert, and enjoy the birthright as citizens of the republic. KTSANJOSE-MMEC