NSO requests DAR help on 2007 census
THE National Statistics Office (NSO) has requested the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) assistance in the conduct of the 2007 Census Population Day starting August 1, 2007 and lasting for at least 25 days. In DAR Central Office Memorandum No. 128, dated July 2, 2007, Sec. Nasser Pangandaman has directed all regional directors and provincial agrarian reform officers nationwide to assist the NSO in the said census drive. Census of population is the complete count of all residents both Filipinos (including overseas workers) and foreigners who have stayed or are expected to stay for at least a year in the Philippines. This also includes the gathering of basic information about each individual, such as age, sex, marital status, education and other demographic characteristics. The census objective to answer the clamor for more up to date and comprehensive information on the size composition and distribution of population used in government, in business and industry as well as research and academic institutions. NSO is mandated by Commonwealth Act No. 591 as the sole government agency to undertake census on population and all other censuses and designated by the National Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB). The conduct of the census could not be made possible, however, without the assistance of other government agencies. Pangandaman added in his memo that NSO also sought the assistance of DAR in the publicity and information drive with the focus on utilization of census data through the following: reproduction and distribution of POPCEN 2007 Primers, already translated into the major dialects to the local media; requesting local columnists and/or writers to feature about POPCEN 2007 and requesting the announcement of the POPCEN during flag ceremonies on Mondays. Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 591 provides penalty upon conviction, a fine of not more than P600 or imprisonment for not more than three months or both to any person who refuses to furnish the information called for in the census questionnaire or to any person who knowingly give false data and information. The population count by province, city, municipality and barangay levels shall be released by February 8, 2008. The final count shall be considered official for all purposes upon proclamation of the President of the Philippines. Census data shall be made available in printed data and compact discs. Moreover, DAR is requesting the general public to cooperate in this nationwide activity for our own perusal and databank in cooperation with NSO. Gertrude G. Albano
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