Census 2000

Interviews take from 20 to 30 mi-nutes. The interviewers ask not only personal data such as age and occupation but also intimate information on matters such as fertility and disabilities. They also want to know the types of appliances in the household, sources of electricity and water supply as well as method of garbage disposal. After hearing these questions, Filipinos who fear an invasion of their privacy or are leery of "Akyat Bahay" and other burglary gangs may throw out the interviewers.

The interviewers, however, are not police intelligence agents or potential robbers, but public school teachers and other government personnel who have been deputized by the National Statistics Office to undertake the la-test nationwide census. The data gatherers, called enumerators, are required to wear "Census 2000" identification cards. They are equipped with enumerators' kits that speed up the sending of information to the NSO's Data Capture Centers, which in turn send the information to the central office. Over 44,500 enumerators started undertaking the census last May 1 among more than 15 million households in 42,000 barangays.

The government uses census data as a guide in budget allocation, in deciding which projects need to be given priority and which areas of the country are lagging behind in development. The information is also useful for long-term government planning. Census statistics are also used by private companies and individuals. For the information to be useful, it must be accurate and constantly updated. This can only be possible if the public cooperates with Census 2000. There are obvious problems in the strife-torn areas of Mindanao, but accurate data should be gathered from the rest of the country.

To encourage cooperation from security-conscious people with little time to spare, the government must support the census with an information campaign. Data gathered from the first national census of the millennium can mean better public services and can help the government spend taxpayers' money wisely. Be part of the statistics. Cooperate with the census takers.