Abstract

Major surveys and censuses conducted by the Philippine Statistical System need to be rationalized and prioritized in the context of the overall thrust of the Philippine Statistical Development Program which is to promote efficiency of statistical operations through systematic use of available resources and adoption of cost effective measures. Before any rationalization and prioritization can be done, however, an integrated assessment of existing surveys and censuses has to be undertaken. This assessment should be participative and objective, that is, with the cooperation of primary data producers and data users in the government and private sectors. Statistical information in the country are generated from two major sources, namely, surveys/censuses and administrative/regulatory reporting systems. For purposes of the study, the latter was excluded to limit the scope of work to manageable levels. Among the statistical activities covered, 40 were regular surveys while 4 were major censuses; 22 were household-based while the other half was establishment-based. Recommendations to improve timeliness and accuracy dealt on improvement of sampling frame/survey design, enhancement of operational efficiency, improvement of questionnaire design, integrated listing of households and establishments, massive information campaign, phased processing of data, and decentralized data processing. Moves to respond to decentralization could be done in the aspects of dissemination and generation of additional local level data. On the issue of easing respondents’ burden, suggestions were to have two separate questionnaires for enterprises (as in the case for the head office and branch office of establishment survey respondents) and rationalization or streamlining of questionnaires. Other general recommendations were on passage of legislation to mandate funding for periodic surveys/censuses, disclosure of standard errors of statistics in publications, and continuing dialogue with respondents.