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TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday began collecting data that would boost the country’s pandemic response.

A total of 2,716 sample households in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) will take part in the labor force survey (LFS) and consumer and business rapid assessment (CBRA) meant to determine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on the country, Wilma Perante, PSA-8 director, said.

“The national task force has provided an exemption to PSA in conducting data gathering and survey activities related to Covid-19, including those related to the registration and implementation of the National Identification System, during the enhanced community quarantine,” Perante said.

To abide by the government’s policy to maintain social distancing, sample households will be enumerated using face-to-face interviews with a distance of one meter between the interviewer and interviewee. However, they may also opt for alternative interview methods, such as through telephone or online or electronic questionnaires.

“We assure that our personnel and hired statistical researchers are in good health condition and will strictly follow precautionary measures against the disease, such as wearing of personal protective equipment, the practice of proper hygiene and sanitation, and physical distancing,” she said.

The LFS aims to gather data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population that provides a quantitative framework for the preparation of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor market.

Perante said the stoppage of work, business operations, transport, and tourism efforts brought by the global health crisis highlights the need for a continuous supply of data and provides evidence-based narratives on the extent of the impact of the crisis on the labor force.

The nationwide survey also serves as a tool to measure the distribution of household population 15 years old and above in terms of employment status, industry, nature of employment, class of worker, and basis of payment.

Questions on hunger experienced by any member of the household and the frequency of occurrence will also be asked, the PSA added.

Meanwhile, the CBRA is a survey of the National Economic and Development Authority that will serve as the basis to assess the impact of the health crisis for appropriate policy recommendations to help stimulate the economy, rebuild consumer confidence, and adapt to the “new normal” state of economic activities.

“We appeal to the public to cooperate and respond to this undertaking. We assure that our deployed personnel and statistical researchers are in good health condition and will strictly follow precautionary measures,” Perante said.

As of Monday, Eastern Visayas had six confirmed cases of the disease – four have been discharged and on strict 14-day home isolation and two are confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center. (PNA



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