The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) granted clearance to the conduct of the Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child (LCSFC) (Wave 5) by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The clearance covers the LCSFC Form 4 (Community Survey Questionnaire) and LCSFC Form 5 (Household Tracking Questionnaire) only. The survey will be conducted by the University of San Carlos - Office of Population Studies Foundation, Inc. (USC-OPS).

The LCSFC generally aims to:

a. Examine how the lives of young boys and girls are changed as our government implements the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) goals in the next 15 years
b. Contribute to the body of evidence on population dynamics and sexual reproductive health and rights, with a special focus on the SDG agenda
c. Provide an evidence-based resource that will inform national policy making and development planning particularly on how the SDG agenda can contribute to maximizing the potentials of the Filipino youth

Specifically, the objectives of LCSFC Wave 5 are as follows:

a. To identify significant risk factors that the cohort is exposed to at this age, as they achieve these milestones and determine underlying child, household, and community characteristics associated with these vulnerabilities
b. To identify aspects in the cohort’s lives that may be addressed by programmatic and policy interventions

A total of 345 barangays and about 5,175 households with children aged 15 years old nationwide will be targeted to participate in the survey from November to December 2021. The modes of interview for this survey are personal and phone interview. The target release of results is tentatively scheduled to be released on August or September 2022.

Among the data items to be collected in the survey are the following:

a. general barangay characteristics, educational facilities, health facilities and social services, barangay community organizations, commercial establishments and entertainment facilities, available jobs and prevailing wage rates, Disaster Risk and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), peace & order, price survey on selected items
b. New contact information/address, schooling of Index Child

A total budget amounting to PhP 12.52 million will be utilized in the conduct of this undertaking.

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 of Republic Act No. 10625 to:

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

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the households and barangay community to support the Wave 5 of the LCSFC 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 or (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.