The Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) is an organized technology-based system of collecting, processing, and validating necessary disaggregated data at the local level. These data may be used as a basis in targeting Philippine households in the planning, budgeting, and implementation of government programs geared towards poverty alleviation and economic development.

The Province of Northern Samar recorded a total household population of 611,050 according to the results of the 2022/2023 CBMS. Of this population, male accounted 51.22 percent, while females make up 48.48 percent. The province counted 105 males for every 100 females (refer to Figure 1).
 

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 2022 – 2023 Community – Based Monitoring System, Province of Northern Samar

Among the total household population, 347,264 individuals or 56.83 percent, remain single. Meanwhile, 22.57 percent are married, and another 15.68 percent are currently living together in a cohabitation arrangement (see Figure 2). 

Data on literacy provide an important indicator that will serve as a guide to planners in formulating policies and programs for the development of the country’s educational system. A person is said to be literate if he/she can both read and write a simple message in any language or dialect. A person who cannot read and write a simple message, such as “I CAN READ” is considered illiterate.

In Northern Samar, 536,232 or 96.2 percent aged 5 years and older are classified as literate, whereas 21,416 or 3.8 percent or are considered illiterate (see Figure 3).
 

The birth of a person is one of the vital events subjects to official registration. The recording of the occurrence of a birth in the city/municipal civil registry office is called birth registration. The purpose of collecting these data is to determine the extent of birth registration in the country. Low registration of births would prompt policy makers and program managers to devise measures to increase the level of birth registration.

In Northern Samar, a total of 73,956 individuals have not registered their live births with the Local Civil Registry Offices.

Figure 4. Birth Registered in Local Civil Registry Office

In Northern Samar, solo parents face unique challenges and opportunities for support through various government initiatives and community programs. With data-driven programs, these solo parents will be targeted which aims to empower them as they navigate the complexities of parenting alone while striving for better economic conditions.

Based on the 2022 and 2023 CBMS results, 10,183 individuals were considered as solo parents (refer to Figure 3).

The Philippine Identification System Act or Republic Act No. 11055 or the PhilSys Act aims to establish a single national identification system for all citizens and resident aliens of the Republic of the Philippines. The Philsys Step 2 Registration has had a significant impact on Northern Samar, particularly in enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of identification services for its residents. This initiative is crucial for various socio-economic reasons, especially for marginalized communities.

Among the Nortehanon’s, 289,405 have already undergone Step 2 Registration while 199,015 individuals haven’t yet (see Table 3).

The overarching goal of CBMS is not only to gather information but also to build community capacity for self-advocacy and sustainable development through active engagement in monitoring their own socio-economic conditions of the communities.  

FOR THE CHIEF STATISTICAL SPECIALIST:

GINA G. ORTEGO (SGD.)
Supervising Statistical Specialist