SIQUIJOR, June 24 (PIA) - - The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here is calling for the support of Siquijodnons to the 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) which runs from May 2 until July 31 for Non-Household and on Sept. 4 to Oct. 25, 2023 for Household and Barangay Operations.

During the Kapihan sa PIA/Kukabildo recently, PSA Statistical Specialist II Eric L. Balios and Registration Officer I Rizalyn Teodora G. Postrado discussed the 2022 CAF and their agency's preparations for its rollout. 

They also shared the obligations of the respondents during the census while considering their rights to data privacy, questionnaires used in the survey, and the mode of data collection.

Balios said CAF is the process of collection and compilation of basic information on the agricultural and fishery sectors in the country which will serve as the important bases in the formulation of policies, plans and programs for the country’s socio-economic development.

It seeks to determine the structural characteristics of agriculture and fishery sectors in the country and provide basic data on the agriculture, aquaculture and fishing characteristics, including facilities and services available in the barangay.

The 2022 CAF, Balios said, is the seventh in a series of decennial agricultural census and the sixth in the decennial census of fisheries in the country since 1903.

Postrado also talked about the basic uses of the statistics obtained from the census.

She said the 2022 CAF will provide thorough statistics on agriculture and fisheries for use by the general public, government, business industries, and research and academic institutions.

It also offers an inventory of agricultural and fishery resources, fundamental statistics on crops, livestock  and land distribution and operations, data for local area planning, a sampling frame for surveys, information for monitoring progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) progress, and data required by United Nations Organizations for international comparability and monitoring the global food situation.

Postrado said PSA-Siquijor has initiated and attended a series of meetings at the provincial and municipal levels to raise more awareness about the said cencus.

They also coordinated with and participated in meetings of the Association of Barangay Captains of the six municipalities.

Meanwhile, Balios and Postrado encouraged respondents to participate and provide accurate and comprehensive responses to statistical questions, as the collection, consolidation, and analysis of their data will also be done in the most truthful and reliable manner possible. (RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)