Country's total population statistics out by March – NSO
By Rose B. Palacio
Davao City (27 February) -- Results of the census on population, the inventory of the country's total population and characteristics are expected to be known by March this year after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signs it for official dissemination.
National Statistics Office (NSO) officer-in-charge Raul Gomez said after the conduct of census on population in August 2007, the processing of documents immediately started.
We are ready to submit the census on population official results on February 29 to be signed by the President, OIC-Director Gomez said.
The submission of official results on population census is one of the highlights of the month-long (February) Registration celebration with this year's theme as: "Tamang Rehistro, Daan sa Kinabukasan mo," said NSO statistician expert Leah Magracia in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
Meanwhile, Melba Danlay, NSO provincial officer-in-charge said the results of the census on population will serve as guidance for planners, policy makers and administrators with data and statistics which are useful for their plans and programs.
The latest census variables include demographic characteristics, socio-economic and housing characteristics, Ms. Danlay said.
Throughout the country, the administration has allocated some Php1.6-billion with 37,000 enumerators nationwide for the conduct of last year's census on population.
Ms. Magracia, on the other hand said that the census on population that would be submitted to the President for her signature is the complete count of all residents, both Filipinos (including overseas workers) and foreigners who have stayed or are expected to stay for at least a year in the Philippines.
The Philippine population is estimated at 85.2-million. Annual population growth is among the highest in the world if it continues, Philippine population is expected to reach 103 million in 2015, according to the National Demographic and Health Survey published by the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD).
For the monthlong celebration on the Importance of Registration, NSO has undertaken a massive information on the relevance of birth registration in various radio stations in Davao region. (PIA) [top]