A lawmaker has filed a resolution urging the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to postpone this year's census to January 2021 because of the continuing threat of COVID-19.
In Resolution No. 1186, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro said risks are still present for residents and interviewers and data enumerators despite the PSA's assurance that their personnel have been trained to observe strict health protocols when conducting the census of population and housing.
"[T]here will be face to face interviews and the possibility of infection is still there," Rodriguez said.
Data enumerators must also wear face masks, face shields, and keep a safe distance while interviewing residents for some 15 to 45 minutes, national statistician Dennis Mapa said earlier. Over 120,000 data enumerators and more than 30,000 supervisors have been hired for the census, which began this September.
"[W]hile it is true that the results of the census will guide development planning at the national and local level and will be particularly useful in coming up with policies for reducing poverty, it is not really the most appropriate time right now to conduct the census," added Rodriguez.
Rodriguez also criticized the PSA for warning the public that refusal to participate in the census "bears the punishment of one-year imprisonment and fine of Php 100,000," saying some might feel threatened to participate despite the coronavirus health crisis.
"What we need now is, as far as practicable, less people on the streets and outside their homes in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19," the lawmaker added.
The Philippines now has over 238,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/9/8/Rodriguez-postponement-2020-census-PSA.html
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