Abstract

Generating, updating and maintaining a sampling frame for establishment surveys continue to be a major challenge in the effort to improve the coverage and accuracy of establishment-based statistics in the Philippines.  While the comprehensiveness of the List of Establishments (LE) may be unparalleled by any list so far, it is also known to be still wanting in terms of desired qualities of a sampling frame.  This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of utilizing statistical information from business permits for improving the LE as a sampling frame for statistical surveys and the establishment census.  The process of business registration in Quezon City was assessed as it may relate to improving aspects of the LE. Evaluated were statistical information in business permits filed with the Mayor’s Office of Palayan City, Olongapo City, Legazpi City, and Naga City as possible source of LE updates.  Recommendations were made on an updating mechanism of the LE which utilized information from business permits and took into account the business registration process.  The various purposes for which lists exist and are compiled can be best dealt in the context of a composite list of establishments; to wit: merging and concatenating rather than strict matching; tagging or making obvious duplicates from different sources, but retaining identity of source; combining of items of information for common entities in the list so that same listings from different sources would have same record; agreeing on the basic set of  “must” items; adoption of a unique identification number for each entry in the list which can be cross-referenced with existing or preferred identification  systems of individual sources; agreeing on regular updating of lists for identifying “dead” as well as “newly-born” entities and recording changes in characteristics within a given period of time; and agreeing to standard classification systems - the Philippine Standard Geographic Classification and the Philippine Standard Industry Classification..