12 July 2024, Tacloban City - The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA - RSSO 8) launched the 2024 Census of Population and Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CBMS) together with members of the region’s tri-media, national government agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs). The press launch was held back-to-back with the Regional Press Conference on June 2024 Inflation Report and was livestreamed at PSA – RSSO 8’s official Facebook Page (@PSAEVOfficial).

After her presentation on the June 2024 Inflation Report of Eastern Visayas, Director Wilma A. Perante discussed the objectives and activities involved in the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS. Following the order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., during a sectoral meeting on 20 February 2024, she informed that the PSA was mandated to conduct a census through the CBMS in order to determine an updated list of 4Ps beneficiaries, among others. She also reported that 100 LGUs have participated in the 2021-2023 CBMS. Among the LGUs which cited how they have used CBMS data in their local governance were Caibiran, Biliran; Salcedo, Eastern Samar; Dagami, Leyte; Sta. Margarita, Samar; Rosario, Northern Samar; and Hinundayan, Southern Leyte.

Director Meylene C. Rosales, Chairperson, Regional Census and Coordinating Board (RCCB) and Regional Director of National Economic and Development Authority VIII (NEDA 8), stressed how crucial the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS data is for planning, implementing and monitoring the impact of government programs and projects. She said that it will tell the people who they are and where they are now. She appealed to everyone to commit themselves to the successful conduct of the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS and a data-driven governance. The government invests time and money in this data collection effort to ensure that every voice is heard, every need is recognized, and every opportunity for improvement is identified and used accordingly. She added that the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS will update the population and social registry and unless there is evidenced-based policy and planning, the region cannot fully attain its goals in poverty reduction and economic growth. She urged the public to support the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS by uttering the 2023-2028 EV RDP’s call to action “#Mabulig Ako!”

Ms. Rudith A. Roca, Chief, Local Government Capacity Development Division, Department of the Interior and Local Government VIII (DILG 8) said that the significance of the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS is underscored by the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling which grants LGUs increased tax allotments. The CBMS will help LGUs allocate and utilize these resources wisely, ensuring that budgets are poured in projects that are tailored to the unique needs of the community. Ms. Roca said that DILG stands ready to facilitate the integration of CBMS data into local governance processes.

Regional Head Reyan L. Arinto of Philippine Information Agency said that by capturing comprehensive data from the grassroots level, decision makers will be guided to formulate programs that will fulfill the aspirations of the people.

Sangguniang Bayan Member Felipe Ygrubay, who was representing Mayor Remedios Petilla of LGU Palo, Leyte recalled that when he was a Municipal Administrator in the past, the CBMS was a headache for the LGU because it was hard for them to generate the data. He expressed how fortunate they are now that it is being led and funded this time by PSA. Relatedly, he said that Mayor Petilla called for a meeting recently instructing barangay officials to assist the enumerators during the census. He also mentioned the importance of CBMS data in updating Palo’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

Other officials who sent messages of support during the press launch were Governor Edwin Ongchuan of Northern Samar, Governor Gerard Roger Espina of Biliran, and Mayor Gretchen Espina of Naval, Biliran.

The 2024 POPCEN-CBMS data collection runs on 15 July to 10 September 2024. The CBMS and the mid-decade census is being conducted simultaneously this year to efficiently use government resources. The Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technique which involves the gathering of information through the use of a digital Household Profile Questionnaire (HPQ) contained in an electronic gadget (tablet), shall be used in enumerating households. A Self-Administered Questionnaire (SAQ) will be used in institutional population; if the need arises, the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS will also adopt traditional Paper-and-Pencil Interviewing (PAPI) technique.

By virtue of RA 11315, otherwise known as the “Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Act” signed into law on 17 April 2019, PSA is mandated to implement the CBMS through its Community-Based Statistics Service of the Censuses and Technical Coordination Office. The PSA enjoins everyone to support the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS by providing truthful information to authorized PSA Enumerators who will visit them to conduct the interview. The Office adheres and commits to the confidentiality of information as stipulated in Section 26 of RA 10625 and Section 8 of RA 10173. All data obtained herein shall be held strictly confidential, and will not be used for taxation, investigation or law enforcement purposes. 
For inquiries and further information, please contact our office with telephone number (053) 839-1884/888-0069 and email address rsso08socd@psa.gov.ph.

“Sa 2024 POPCEN-CBMS, Kasama Ka sa Pag-unlad Tungo sa Makabagong Pilipinas!”

SGD. WILMA A. PERANTE 
Regional Director