From 20 May to 17 June 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will conduct the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) Pilot Census.

The 2020 CPH 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 barangay, city/municipality, province and region in the country. The census also aims to provide government executives, policy makers, and planners with population and housing data on which to base their social and economic development plans, policies and programs.

In reference to the first Philippine census conducted in 1903, the 2020 CPH is the 15th Census of Population and 7th Census of Housing in the Philippines. This will also be the first census undertaking that will adopt the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) technique that will involve gathering of information with the use of an electronic questionnaire contained in tablets.

The pilot census will be conducted by the PSA in eight (8) areas across the country, namely:

• Barangay Santo Cristo, Quezon City;
• Municipality of Tublay, Beguet;
• Municipality of Quirino, Isabela;
• Barangay Banilad and Barangay Talamban, Cebu City;
• Municipality of Biri, Nothern Samar;
• Municipality of Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur;
• Municipality of Tagana-an, Surgao del Notre; and
• Municipality of Simunul, Tawi-tawi.

The census will utilize a total budget of Php 12.8 million that will cover personal services, travelling expenses, supplies and printing expenses.

Meanwhile, results of the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN) showed that:

• As of 01 August 2018, the Philippines had a total population of 100,981,437.
• The population is higher by 8,643,685 persons compared with the results of the 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) count of 92,337,852 persons.
• The increase in the Philippine population was translated into an average population growth rate (PGR) of 1.7 percent annually during the period 2010 to 2015.

The survey 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 (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

• ensure sound design for data collection;
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
• effect economy in statistical data collection; efforts;
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the public is enjoined to support the 2020 CPH Pilot Census.

The clearance for the conduct of the Pilot Census for the 2020 CPH was issued on 04 February 2019.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers
(02) 376-1928 and (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General

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