PSA reminds public to only trust verified enumerators in census gathering

CEBU, Philippines — Amidst the widespread operation of scammers who gather personal information of the public, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has assured that safety measures are in place as they are set to start their census data gathering this month.

From July 15 to Sept 16, 2034, PSA-7 will be conducting the 2024 census of Population and Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CBMS).

PSA-7 shared that as they conduct these kinds of activities where they have enumerators doing house-to-house surveys, it is expected for the public to have trust issues due to the prevalence of scammers.

With this, PSA-7 Chief Statistical Specialist of the Statistical Operations and Coordination Division, Engr. Leopoldo Alfanta Jr., highlighted the features of a legitimate enumerator.

“The enumerators hired by PSA-7, aside from being trained, naa gyud na silay complete paraphernalia like the ID, shirt, the bags, and even tumblers and umbrella for a particular field operation...and magdala na sila’g tablet,” he said.

But Alfanta also asked the public to still be cautious and to only trust verified personnel to prevent data privacy breaches.

He said enumerators are trained to make courtesy calls to barangay officials before conducting surveys and PSA-7 have advised residents still unsure about the legitimacy of the enumerators, to visit their barangay halls for verification.

Further, Alfanta stressed that the confidentiality of data will be strictly enforced, as cited in the Philippine Statistics Act of 2013.

“Given in the law in RA 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 of which the law created the PSA... section 26 naa gyud na didto ang confidentiality clause,” Alfanta said, adding that enumerators should follow the mandate of this law, otherwise will be penalized.

“They have to strictly follow the confidentiality or else makasuhan jud sila. Naa pod mi section sa law na penalty, apil nanang multa because very important ang confidentiality,” he added.

Apart from the enumerators, Alfanta also stressed on the responsibility of the public in providing correct information.

“In ana ang assurance aron wala na silay kahadlok na motubag gyud og sakto pero on the other hand kung namakak pod siya kay pwede sad na siya kasohan. That is also in the law,” Alfanta emphasized.

PSA-7 urged individuals to actively cooperate with the enumerators, noting that the accuracy of the data provided is crucial to effectively identify and assist target beneficiaries.

The results of the Listing Record and Profiling of Household and Institutional Population will be released in the first quarter of 2025, which will provide valuable data for the national government and local government units.

This operation has been allocated a total budget of P5.7 billion, covering data collection, processing, mapping, coordination, and advocacy activities in the Philippines.

Alfanta noted that this includes the tablets that will be used by the enumerators. In Cebu City, there will be 4,035 tablets allocated solely for the enumerators. — Donna Rose Egos /ATO (FREEMAN)