DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) - Davao del Sur reported a 30 percent turnout in the 2024 population census (POPCEN) and community-based monitoring system (CBMS) since it began in July.
In a press briefing Thursday, Adeline Batucan, officer in charge of PSA-Davao del Sur, acknowledged the relatively slow pace of work, which should be at 50 percent turnout by this time.
She noted that many enumerators have switched to more lucrative jobs and that PSA-Davao del Sur had to hire replacements and even pulled out office personnel just to fill the gap.
Batucan said they also encountered problems with the owners of high-end subdivisions and condominium units when conducting interviews.
“We are coordinating with the homeowners’ associations to allow our enumerators to interview the residents of these high-end subdivisions,” she said.
Still, Batucan said, they remain optimistic that the turnout rate would increase as they continuously monitor the operation of the enumerators.
She also urged the public to support the 2024 population census and CBMS, a nationwide government undertaking that involves collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing, publishing, and disseminating data on population count.
“We hope that you will accept our enumerators in your house. Please give them time to conduct the interview, which will last around 30 to 40 minutes,” she urged the public.
PSA-Davao del Sur covers the entire province and Davao City. (PNA)
