For the development of the Geo-Enabled Master Sample in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Office undertakes the 2021 Updating of List of Least Accessible Areas (ULLAA) and No-Build Zones from November 18, 2021 to December 10, 2021.

The PSA is currently utilizing the 2013 Master Sample (MS) for its own periodic household-based sample surveys conducted by other government agencies. However, only the concept of Least Accessible Barangays was introduced and identified in 2013 MS in the conduct of PSA’s survey operations. Heeding to the observations and assessments of Field Offices (FOs) during the implementation of the 2013 MS, new categories for least accessible areas are added as part of the updated master sample frame. Hence, as soon as the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH) final results and clean data files become available, the MS for household- based surveys need to be updated and re-designed.

The 2021 ULLAA aims to update the existing list of Least Accessible Barangays (LABs) in the country and identify other LABs that constitute only a portion or portions of the whole barangay such as an enumeration zone, purok, sitio or a segment of a barangay. It would also determine specific areas in the province that are considered by their Local Government Units (LGUs) as no-build zones or danger zones.

PSA-La Union hired and trained five Mapping Personnel consisting of two Map Data Verifiers (MDVs), two Map Data Processors (MDPs), and one Map Data Reviewer (MDR). The 2 MDVs role is to conduct a field visit and verify the indicative boundary of selected Least Accessible Purok/Sitio/Segment (LAPSS) and inclusion of list of Building Serial Numbers (BSNs) from the 2020 CPH Form 1 inside the indicative boundary of selected LAPSS while the MDPs and MDR are responsible in digitizing indicative boundary for LAPSS and no-build zones, and checking the completeness of created shapefiles for all selected LAPSS.

All hired Mapping Personnel deployed by PSA-La Union will coordinate with the Local Government Units (LGUs) on the conduct of the activity. They will also strictly abide with the health and safety protocols laid down by LGUs to ensure smooth implementation of the field operation.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist