The 2000 Census of Population and Housing otherwise known as Census 2000 is the 11th census of population and the 5th census of Housing to be undertaken in the Philippines since 1903. Prior to this period, in 1570 to 1800s, the population count was determined largely by estimates rather than actual counts. In particular, the population was based on the number of tributes comprising an encomienda in 1591. In the succeeding years, when the people were distributed by parish among religious orders, the population estimates depended on church records (baptism, marriages and burials) and were limited to the Christian population.

The 1994 FLEMMS was conducted in response to the government’s program of “Eradicating Illiteracy in the Year 2000” through Memorandum Circular No. 71, issued by President Fidel V. Ramos on September 7, 1993. This circular is basically geared towards intensifying, strengthening and consolidating efforts of all sectors of the society to deliver literacy and the necessary intervention to priority Filipinos especially those in the depressed, disadvantaged and underserved areas.