Solon seeks postponement of 2020 census to next year

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

PSA urged to postpone census to January 2021

 Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez called on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to postpone its 2020 population and housing census to January next year amid the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

Rodriguez's proposal is covered in House Resolution 1186, which he filed on September 3 but was only released to the media on Tuesday.

According to the resolution, the PSA hired 113,364 data enumerators and 22,000 supervisors to visit houses.

“While the agency has given assurances that these personnel have been trained to follow strict health protocols like wearing masks and face shields and to keep a safe distance when interviewing residents for an estimated 15-30 minutes, there are still risks not only for the interviewees but interviewers and data enumerators as well,” Rodriguez said.

There will be face-to-face interviews “and the possibility of infection is still there,” he added.

The PSA last month appealed to the public to cooperate with the data collection for the 2020 census, as it assured that enumerators will follow physical distancing measures.

National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said enumerators were to start data gathering on September 1.

The PSA also urged residents of condominiums and exclusive subdivisions to participate in the 2020 census through the online portal, video calls, phone calls, or through a questionnaire that can be obtained from the barangay hall.

'Not appropriate time'

Although Rodriguez recognizes the importance of population survey results as a guide in development planning and policy making at the national and local levels, he said "this period when we are battling a pandemic is not the most appropriate time to conduct the census."

He said conducting the survey this year or while there is still a health crisis would only put people and PSA workers at risk.

"We are still getting daily positive cases in the thousands, though the Department of Health is reporting that the numbers are going down,” he added.

At the same time, Rodriguez also slammed the PSA for its statement warning those who refuse to participate in the census that they could face a penalty of one-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.

“Such threat amid the pandemic is uncalled for and inappropriate. What we need is, as far as practicable, fewer people in the streets and outside their homes to help contain the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

He said delaying the census for a few months or until there is a vaccine against COVID-19 would not adversely affect the development planning and policy making of national and local government agencies.

“They can in the meantime rely on historical data with some adjustments,” he added. 

The census was supposed to have been started last May, but the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and PSA recommended it be moved back to September due to the pandemic.

In March this year, President Rodrigo Duterte asked the public to cooperate in the 2020 census of population and housing.

NEDA chief Karl Kendrick Chua said the census cannot be used for contact tracing of COVID-19 cases. —KG, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/754671/psa-urged-to-postpone-census-to-january-2021/story/

Happy Birthday Mama Mary! - Kape't Pandasal with Cardinal Chito Tagle

PSA urged to postpone population census to January next year

 The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) should postpone its 2020 population and housing census and reschedule it in January next year as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Tuesday.

Rodriguez said that while the PSA has given assurances that its personnel have been trained to follow strict health protocols in conducting the census, there are still risks involved not only for the interviewees but interviewers and data enumerators as well.

The census began on September 1 and will last until September 30.

The lawmaker said that while the population survey results would be very useful in guiding development planning and policy making at the national and local levels, particularly in reducing poverty, the period of pandemic is “not the most appropriate time” to do it.

“This period when we are battling a pandemic is not the most appropriate time to conduct the census. We are still getting daily positive cases in the thousands, though the Department of Health is reporting that the numbers are going down,” Rodriguez said.

He added doing the survey this year or while there is a health crisis is not worth the risk people and PSA workers would be exposed to.

For now, Rodriguez said that the PSA can delay the census for a few months or even until there is a vaccine against the new coronavirus as it would not adversely affect development planning and policy making by the national government and local government units.

“They can in the meantime rely on historical data with some adjustments,” Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez also said that PSA’s warning to the public that refusal to participate in the census bears the punishment of one-year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000 is “uncalled for and inappropriate” especially during the pandemic.

“What we need is, as far as practicable, fewer people in the streets and outside their homes to help contain the spread of COVID-19,” Rodriguez said.

As of September 7, there are 238,727 COVID-19 cases in the country, with recoveries at 184,906 and death toll at 3,890.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1332662/psa-urged-to-postpone-population-census-to-january-next-year

You Can Find Meaning In The “In-Between-Times”

 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

Have you ever felt that you were stuck in an "in-between-time"?  Looking back over human history, the world has languished in the midst of pandemics, societal unrest, fires, droughts, floods, famines.  People have suffered in times of transition, leaving their old homes to seek new ones, sometimes trying to escape persecution and violence.  In times of war, no one knows what will end up being left of their personal worlds.  "In-between-times" are part of the human condition on this earth. Sometimes it can feel as if we are stuck in misery and uncertainty, unable to move forward through these present troubles.

The Bible is a book about real life, and it contains some good examples of the struggle that occurs in the "in-between-times" too. One of these "in-between-times" is found in the beginning of the Bible. In Genesis 15 God promised a man named Abraham that he would have a son, become the father of a great nation and ultimately bless all nations of the world. but then 25 years of waiting went by. It wasn't until Genesis chapter 21 when we read that a son named Isaac was born. What kind of pressure and stress do you think Abraham felt as the years went by? What were the conversations like between him and his wife, Sarah?

Or what about the interval between the time that David was anointed as King (1 Samuel 16) of Israel and the day when he actually began to reign? (2 Samuel 5) David's 15-year "in-between-time" included fighting the giant Goliath, being banished by the current king who wanted to kill him, hiding out in the desert and fighting many battles.  Don't you think he was frustrated and concerned about whatever "the plan" was?

Think, also, for a moment about the followers of Jesus. Their leader, who they had believed was their Savior, had just gone back to heaven. They huddled together in a secret upper room in Jerusalem not knowing quite what to do. They must have rehearsed His words and instructions over and over again. But still they were fixed in that room for what must have felt like an eternity.  But suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And the Holy Spirit descended upon them! Never again would they be the same!

In each of those cases, the "in-between-times" were platforms upon which God built something new, something fresh, something wonderful!  He will do that again, if we accept His plan and His right to rule in our lives.

Yes, the "in-between-times" are uncomfortable, unnatural-feeling times that grate on our sense of independence and self-determination. We want these times over, all over, now.  Do you find yourself in an "in-between time" today?  If so, pause for a while and ask God what He wants to do with you during this time. What can be gleaned?  What part of your character needs adjusting? What attitude needs to be changed? Some of those areas are very personal. They only involve us. But then sometimes God is speaking to a collective people, a community, a nation.  Let's not be in such a hurry to get out of the "in-between times." Let's get out of the" in-between times" what He wants us to get. "See, I am doing a new thing!"  Scripture says in Isaiah 43:19. "Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

In one of his "in-between-times," David wrote: "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13). The follower of Jesus can say the same thing, as he or she continues to lean into the hope and peace we have in Christ.

Resource Reading:  Acts 2:1-47

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/you-can-find-meaning-in-the-in-between-times/