By Jocelyn P. Alvarez
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The 14th census of
population to be undertaken in the
country since the first census in 1903 is set in August this year and the
listing and enumeration will be done for 25 working days.
The 2015 Census of Population is
a complete enumeration of households in the country. It also collects
information on some characteristics of the population such as age, sex, marital
status and highest grade completed. This year’s POPCEN is the third population
census to be conducted in between two decennial censuses. Mid-decade censuses
were carried out in 1995 and 2007.
POPCEN is necessary, as data
derived from this census will provide government executives, policy and decision
makers and planners with population data, especially updated population counts
of all barangays in the country, on which to base their social and economic
plans, policies and programs.
Respondents to this census include
head of household or his/her spouse, or any responsible member of the household
who can provide accurate answers to the questions; the manager, administrator
or individual members of the institution; and the Punong Barangay or any
incumbent barangay official.
There are three types of questionnaire
to be used in this census: the Household Questionnaire, the Institutional
Population Questionnaire, and the Barangay Schedule.
Would be respondents to the
census are obliged to provide truthful and complete answers. This is per
Section 27 of Republic Act 10625, which stipulates that “respondents of primary
data collection activities such as censuses
and sample surveys are obliged to give truthful and complete answers to
statistical inquires.” Any respondent
who refuses or fail to give truthful and complete answers shall be meted out a
penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of P100 thousand.