LEGASPI CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 5 recently conducted a press launch to mark the start of the 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries. The press launch was held at Kanzo Restaurant in this city on September 1, 2024.
According to Cynthia Perdiz, Regional Director of PSA in Bicol, 1,322 barangays are targeted as respondents in Bicol. For Albay – 241 barangays; Camarines Norte – 110 barangays; Camarines Sur – 351 barangays; Catanduanes – 149 barangays; Masbate – 231 barangays and Sorsogon – 240 barangays. For the country, over 16,000 barangays are targeted where all households were chosen as respondents.
Director Perdiz added that PSA collaborated with the DA in formulating the questions and selection of words used in the questionnaires.
Meanwhile, Dan Lucena, Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA presented the methodology for the census which included 1) computer-aided personal interview using tablet; 2) paper and pen; 3) telephone interview: and self-administered questionnaire.
The contents of the CAF 2022 included an inventory of the country’s agri-fishery resources; basic information on the kind of crops planted, the area planted, area harvested, emerging crops, farm practices, kind and number of livestock, inventory of species; housing, and presence of contract growers.
NEDA Region 5 Assistant Regional Director Cynthia Edna Berces in her message of support acknowledged the challenges of the agri-fishery sector. She highlighted the strategies laid down in the Bicol Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 specifically chapter 7 on Modernizing Agriculture and Agribusiness. These include strengthening the capacities for research and development to promote innovation; expanding participation in value-adding agri-fishery products, and integrating disaster risks in agri-fishery plans, programs and projects.
Lovella P. Guarin, RAFIS Chief represented DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla. “Through the years, the Philippine Statistics Authority has been the authority when it comes to data. Statistical data is an invaluable input in analyzing trends, patterns and changes in different fields affecting the agri-fishery sector. The Department of Agriculture is ready to extend our utmost support and assistance to the Philippine Statistics Authority to carry out its commitment to empower the agri-fishery sectors with accurate information and actionable insights. I enjoined everyone, every Bicolano household to actively participate and cooperate in this census and to give only your truthful and complete answers to the census questions,” she said.
”Ruben Peyra of BFAR Region V represented Regional Director Ariel Pioquinto.
The census of agriculture and fisheries is a nationwide statistical undertaking to determine the structural characteristics of agri-fishery sectors, provide insights into various crops farming, livestock, poultry, culturing worms and insects, and fishing operations and collect information on the available facilities in the barangays. The enumeration period started on September 4, 2023. (Photo by Raymond Adversario)
#CAFarmer,CAFisher,Tayo ang Bida!
