CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10, preparing for the Census of Population and Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CMBS) on July 15, has trained enumerators and equipped them with tablets for computer-aided personal interviews using a form-based approach.
“Kung naa gyu’y instance nga siguro nag-malfunction ang tablet, we never know, pero karon amo gyud nang i-sure nga matag enumerator na’y tablet or ma-lowbat pwede siya mu-sort to paper or questionnaire. Pero mainly gyud tablet ang ginagamit sa among enumerators,” said Supervising Statistical Specialist Brenda Lyn Castro.
(If there are instances where the table malfunctions, we never know, but now we will ensure that each enumerator has a tablet. If it runs out of battery, they can switch to paper or a questionnaire. However, our enumerators mainly use tablets.)
She added that enumerators receive training to handle various scenarios, such as leaving appointment slips if no one is home during the day. “Kung kinsa’y ilang kabinlan, amo na siyang gitudloan sa training unsa’y diskarte para lang gyud makuha gyud na siya nga balay, dayon kung ma-ascertain gani kung naa na’y tubag ang panimalay sa appointment slip, kung gusto ba gyud sila’g personal interview or gusto ba nila’g self-administered questionnaire, pwede.”
(Whoever they leave it with, we have trained the enumerators on the strategies to ensure that the household is reached. Then, if it is ascertained that the household has responded to the appointment slip, they can choose whether they prefer a personal interview or a self-administered questionnaire.)
If the household prefers the self-administered questionnaire, Castro said the enumerator will revisit the household to collect the completed questionnaire.
Citing the importance of getting accurate data for better implementation of government programs and services, Castro urged the public to accommodate the enumerators who will get their household details.
“Kay ang sakto nga datos, ang sakto nga impormasyon nga atong ihatag through our POPCEN-CBMS, i-process man ni sa PSA para mahimo siyang comprehensive information nga pwede pagabasehan sa atong mga pamahalaan, sa atong ahensya sa gobyerno mahimong basehan para sa pag-implementar pud sa mga programa nga ibalik pud sa katawhan.”
(The PSA will process the accurate data and information we provide through our census and POPCEN-CBMS to create comprehensive information that our government agencies can use as a basis for implementing programs that will benefit the public.)
Castro said PSA-10 uses this approach to ensure the upcoming census is conducted smoothly and accurately, leveraging technology and strategic training to overcome potential challenges. (MGLY/PIA-10)
