ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is deploying census enumerators to capture key population data that are needed for local development planning and policymaking.
According to PSA statistical analyst Jeffrey Caballo, the survey is undertaken under the 2024 Census of Population and Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CBMS).
The survey serves multiple purposes, including updating the national population inventory, refining social protection beneficiary lists to prevent inclusion and exclusion errors, and providing current voter data for the 2025 national and local elections, including those in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The data gathered will support the fair distribution of national tax allocations to local government units (LGUs) and enable more targeted and effective delivery of public services,” Caballo said.
In Zamboanga Peninsula (ZAMPEN), where varying levels of socio-economic development exist across provinces and municipalities, the CBMS offers a critical tool for local governments and national agencies. With more granular and up-to-date information, LGUs can better formulate responsive programs for children, youth, the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities.
For the business sector, POPCEN-CBMS data also provides valuable insights. It assists in identifying viable locations for investments, analyzing consumer demand, enhancing labor supply planning, and informing distribution strategies. “This helps businesses align their services with actual needs and purchasing power of communities,” Caballo explained.
The PSA also assures the public of strict confidentiality and security of data gathered. All enumerators and personnel are trained in data privacy protocols, and information is transmitted securely through password-protected devices and VPNs. The use of tablets for digital data entry ensures efficiency and accuracy.
Initial population counts are expected to be endorsed to the President by the second quarter of this year, with final figures released by official proclamation and made accessible online. “By that time, mostly new leaders will make use of that data,” Caballo added, emphasizing how the timing of the census aligns with the transition of leadership and the formulation of new development agendas.
As ZAMPEN continues to push for inclusive growth, the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS will serve as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that no sector or community is left behind in the region’s progress. (MLE/BNT-GIP/PIA 9-Zamboanga City)
