Message of

RD PRISCILLA R. SONIDO

During the Regional Data Dissemination Forum

on Population Counts:
2020 Census of Population and Housing
21 July 2021; 10AM

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Director Rosalinda

Celeste-Apura, Commission on Population and Development
Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano, Dr. Miraluna Herrera of
the Caraga State University, my colleagues in the government, our
partners from the tri-media and the private and business sectors, and
everyone participating in this Regional Data Dissemination Forum on
the 2020 Census of Population and Housing or CPH, good morning.

My task this morning is to explain the significance of population data

for planning and decision-making. Being part of the institution which
is mandated to be the government’s socioeconomic planning body, it
is expected to provide sound macroeconomic forecasting, policy
research and analysis and set the agenda for inclusive development.
As such, NEDA counts on the expertise of the Philippine Statistics
Authority in gathering the needed data as bases for sound, updated
and evidence-based planning and decision-making to ensure that the
government’s actions are appropriate, developmental, and for the
common good.

It cannot be discounted that precise and dependable statistical data

and evidences are critical in defining how to equitably allocate scarce
resources to the target population to make sure that those who have
less are allocated with more of what the government can provide.
This is particularly true for population data, it tells us the growth rate
of our population, its density in various localities, most and less
populous areas, among others. These data are the basic knowledge
we need to know for planning and decision making such as in
formulating policies or identifying and allocating programs and
projects that will maximize the population counts of a particular
province, city or municipality. Having such available data within our
reach can aid us in the analysis of where the government funds
should go and define the outcomes that we would want to result from
the policies and PPAs that the government will implement, such as
improved agricultural productivity, better quality education, increased
livelihood opportunities or even poverty alleviation.

Many of the policies and recommendations in the Updated Philippine

Development Plan 2017-2022 and the Caraga Regional
Development Plan 2017-2022 Midterm Update have greatly
considered the PSA’s data derived from surveys and censuses. Data
on population were not only used to track our progress as spelled out
in our national and regional agenda but these were also maximized
in tracking the Region’s progress in achieving our international
commitments on the Sustainable Development Goals specifically on
Goal 1: No poverty, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 4:
Quality education, Goal 5: Gender Equality, among others.

The 2015 Census of Population and Housing data, particularly on

school-age children were critical in planning for resources and
allocating funds for education services. These include programs like
the Basic Education Inputs Program and Support to Schools and
Learners Program. The same data were used to identify beneficiaries
of health related programs and projects such as the Expanded
Program on Immunization, Adolescent Health Program, Family
Planning Program, among others.

Furthermore, the Census is an important input for political exercises,

as the formation of congressional districts and cities depend partly
on population count. Likewise, it also serves as basis for determining
the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) or now known as the the
National Tax Allotment (NTA) for the LGUs. Population data is made
more critical specially with the implementation of the Mandanas-
Garcia case ruling in 2022, wherein LGUs are expected to undertake
the implementation of programs and projects for devolved functions
as specified in the Local Government Code of 1991.

For economic development, planning for businesses and industries

also benefits from census data in terms of planning for potential
business locations, evaluating customer demand for various goods
and services, and increasing labor supply. Supporting this
population on this matter are also the human resource skills capacity
available in the various areas.

Household-level statistics, such as those derived from the Census of

Population, have been crucial in the development and
implementation of poverty-reduction programs and projects such as
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and the National Health
Insurance program. Although the Department of Social Welfare and
Development was able to identify its beneficiaries using the National
Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR), this
complements with the data on population generated through the
Census on Population and Housing. As of 2020, Caraga Region has
a total of 176,992 households Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.
Comparing this data with the Region’s total population of 2,804,788
based on the 2020 CPH, we conclude that six out of every 100
Caraganons benefit from the social welfare services such as the
Pantawid Pamilya.

Data on population has also been used in the Region’s efforts to

lessen the impact of natural disasters on vulnerable areas. Data was
used to identify the number of people living in areas considered as
high-risk to hydrological and meteorological hazards. With this data,
we spelled-out our strategies in the Caraga RDP 2017-2022 to
lessen the numbers of families living in hazard-prone areas. The
CPH also provided information on land ownership, thus, enabling the
housing agencies and the local government units to plan out
programs to address the dearth of safe and resilient housing.

These data are just a few of the indicators that we can extract from
the CPH 2020. We use these data, which are critical in monitoring
our progress towards achieving our regional, national, and
international commitments.

While we track the Region's progress toward inclusive growth, we

continue to rely on figures derived from household surveys to
determine whether we need to recalibrate our actions to accelerate
poverty reduction and socioeconomic development.

This is why we at NEDA are excited for the results of the 2020
Census of Population. We are happy to know that the results of a
comprehensive household enumeration across the Country is
already here despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic,
as this will provide us with the information we need to properly plan
and implement social and economic development plans, policies,
and programs, especially that we are embarking on a process of
crafting the Caraga Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 next
year.

Based on the results of the 2020 Census, Caraga’s population

increased by 208 thousand people than the 2015 data. Among the
provinces and cities, Butuan City has the highest population growth
rate of 2.15 percent, followed by the Province of Surigao del Norte at
2.07 percent, Dinagat has the lowest growth rate of 0.16 percent.
The top 10 most populous cities and municipalities are Surigao City,
Bayugan City, Bislig City, Prosperidad, San Francisco, ADS,
Cabadbaran City, Buenavista, Tandag City, Ezperanza, and Trento.
These LGUs need to consider the increase in their respective
population viz-a-vis housing needs. Funds for health, education,
social protection and for projects that will help improve the quality of
life of the people shall also be considered by these LGUs as their
requirements for these services are expected to increase as
population increases.

I am sure academic and research institutions are also looking forward

to digging into the census data to study population growth and
geographic distribution, to prepare population projections at the
national and sub-national levels, and to do studies on a wide range
of topics that we hope useful to us in the government.

I would like to congratulate the PSA for its steadfast commitment

and for effectively working as the statistical authority of the
Philippine government on primary data collection. NEDA Caraga
is one with you in advocating for accurate and reliable statistical
data that will translate into strategic policies, programs and
projects. This collective action will lead us to the realization of
our long term vision, the AmBisyon Natin 2040, where we shall
enjoy a “Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay Para sa
Lahat”.