The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Officecarries out the July 2020 Labor Force Survey (LFS) together with the 2020 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS) as rideron July 8 to 31, 2020 in La Union using the Computer-Aided Personal Interview (CAPI) for both surveys.

About 390 randomly selected sample housing units will be visited in the province by six Statistical Researchers (SRs) under the supervision of the Chief Statistical Specialist and the Provincial Focal Persons. In this survey round, an integrated Computer-Aided Data Collection System (CADaCS) will be employed for the July 2020 LFS and APIS 2020.

The LFS is a nationwide quarterly survey of households conducted by the PSA to gather data on demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population. It aims to provide a quantitative framework for the preparation of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor market.  Rider questions on social assistance programs received by families under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act were included in this round of survey. 

Meanwhile, the APIS 2020 is the 14^th in a series of poverty indicators survey conducted nationwide since 1998. The survey gathers data on the socio-economic profile of families and other information related to their living conditions.  These data can be used to generate non-income indicators related to poverty that will be used to assess and monitor the poverty situation in the country.  The information collected will also be used to estimate the multi-dimensional poverty index (MPI). 

The PSA enjoins the support of the Local Government Units (LGUs) and cooperation of sample households in providing truthful, complete and accurate information to the SRs. The respondents are assured that data to be collected in the survey shall be covered by the confidentiality of information clause under Section 26of Republic Act 10625, which stipulates that individual data furnished by a respondent to statistical inquiries, surveys, and censuses of the PSA shall be considered privileged information and such shall be inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding.

Furthermore, the PSA assures that all hired SRs are in good health condition and will strictly follow precautionary measures against COVID-19 such as strict observance of social distancing, wearing of face mask/shield, and proper hygiene and sanitation. The PSA shall also observe all protocols laid down by the LGUs. 

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.

Chief Statistical Specialist