Census starts tomorrow

A nationwide census on population and housing will be conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) beginning tomorrow.

The population census will gather basic data about each individual such as age, sex, marital status, education, occupation, ethnicity and disability.

The housing census is a count of all housing units in the country, occupied or vacant. Even caves, trailers, abandoned railway coaches and other unconventional structures used as living quarters will be included.

Figures gathered from the census, NSO Administrator Tomas Africa said, will help the government formulate policies and plans in running the country and deliver services efficiently.

The census will also help the government determine if congressional districts need to be redrawn, where to set up political and administrative units if needed, and how to distribute resources equally.

The census also helps businesses predict demand and plan their marketing strategies accordingly. In research and academic institutions, the census figures help them conduct studies.

Tomorrow's census on population is the 11th since the turn of the 20th century, while the housing census is only the fifth.

From 1570 to the 1800s, the population count was determined by estimates instead of actual counts.

In 1591, the population was estimated based on the number of tributes comprising an encomienda, a small population center established during the early Spanish colonial period.

Population estimates in the succeeding years were limited to the Christians. It depended on church baptismal, marriage and burial records since people were distributed by parish managed by religious orders.

The first official census was carried out in 1878 by the Spanish government, followed by another in 1888 and 1898.

Batas Pambansa Blg. 72 calls for a census of population and housing every 10 years beginning 1980.

The results of the census would be released before the end of the year. The final count shall be considered official for all purposes upon proclamation by President Estrada.