The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance for the conduct of the Convergence on Value Chain Enhancement for Rural Growth and Empowerment (ConVERGE) Endline Survey by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in cooperation with the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The Endline Survey aims to assess the current situation of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) households engaged in farming after the implementation of the Project ConVERGE. The economic condition of ARBO households will be evaluated in terms of access to and utilization of production technologies, production inputs, credit, agriculture support infrastructures information and market, and policy environment. Further, the results of the study will be used to validate and refine its existing strategy. The results are also important to the effort of promoting inclusive value chain development as a strategy for modernizing smallholder agriculture in the Philippines.

Major data items to be collected in this undertaking are as follows:

1. Socio-demographic characteristics of households;

2. Household income level;

3. Household asset ownership; and

4. Access to and utilization of production technologies, production inputs, credit, agriculture support infrastructures information and market, and policy environment.

A total of 1,144 households from Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga will be interviewed on the survey. They are also the same respondents from the baseline survey conducted in 2019. A total budget of PhP 3.4 million will be utilized in the survey which will be conducted in June to July 2022. The results are expected to be released in November 2022.

This undertaking was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

1. ensure sound design for data collection;

2. minimize the burden placed upon respondents;

3. effect economy in statistical data collection;

4. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and

5. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the selected ARBO members and their households to support the said survey by providing the required information.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division of the Standards Service with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email addresses ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.