(27 JULY 2021 – ILOCOS REGION) The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office I (PSA – RSSO I) announced the latest and official results of the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH) through a hybrid news conference in Calasiao, Pangasinan. Members of the press attended onsite while the rest of the participants joined via videoconference.

Assistant Regional Director Dr. Irenea B. Ubungen of the National Economic and Development Authority – Regional Office I (NEDA - RO I) delivered the opening statement on behalf of Regional Director Nestor G. Rillon. In her speech, Dr. Ubungen said that the data from the 2020 CPH will help the government in crafting better and sound policies, especially now that the country is in the midst of a health emergency where every single data is of high importance.

Mr. Roy Gerson Torres of the Commission on Population and Development – Region I and Dr. Milagros R. Baldemor of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – South La Union Campus served as guest speakers for the conference. Both speakers shared the importance and uses of the updated population counts in their field of work and study.

Officer-in-Charge Atty. Sheila O. De Guzman of PSA – RSSO I reported that the population of the Ilocos Region as of 01 May 2020 is 5,301,139 and this accounts for about 4.86 percent of the Philippine population in 2020. She added that the count is higher by 275,011 from the population of 5.03 million in 2015, and 552,767 more than the population of 4.75 million in 2010.

It was reported that the province of Pangasinan had the biggest population in 2020 among the four provinces comprising Region I with 3,163,190 persons. This was followed by La Union with 822,352 persons and Ilocos Sur with 706,009 persons. Lastly, Ilocos Norte had the smallest population with 609,588 persons.

Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Joseph Cajita of the Population and Housing Census Division of PSA – Central Office extended his gratitude to the census enumerators, Local Government Unit (LGU) heads, and to the members of the Census Coordinating Board for making the 2020 CPH possible in the middle of a health emergency. He also stressed his appreciation to the members of the press for advocating the conduct of the 2020 CPH to the public.

The hybrid news conference was attended by 132 onsite and virtual participants from 35 LGUs, 15 media agencies, 18 regional line agencies,and the academe.