NSO to release population count 2007 in March

MANILA, Philippines – The National Statistics Office (NSO) will release in March the official count of the Philippine population based on the census conducted in August 2007. According to the NSO, the latest population count was supposed to be out last November, but natural and human-made factors caused delays in the recording and processing of field data. Typhoons Chedeng, Dodong and Egay as well as security problems in some areas caused delays in household interviews. Some census enumerators also failed in conducting interviews in upscale villages and condominiums, the NSO added. Population Census 2007 targeted a complete count of all residents, both locals and foreigners, who have been staying in the country for at least a year. A reliable population count is important in determining target beneficiaries of basic social services and in setting up benchmarks for internal revenue allotments for local government units, the NSO said. - GMANews.TV