AMID work suspensions and efforts to streamline government operations due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) disclosed that it will continue its field operations to conduct surveys.
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the BusinessMirror that while PSA is suspending work on Friday, its ongoing field operations, including the preparations for the decade Census on Population and Housing (CPH), will continue.
The PSA will be closed on Friday to sanitize its Centris and East Avenue offices while it will have a skeletal force for civil registration services (CRS). However, Mapa advised that clients use alternative modes of applications, such as thru its online services, to obtain information.
“The field operations for our surveys, including the preparation for the CPH, are still ongoing —you will still get your inflation report and others,” Mapa said via SMS. “[We decided to continue field operations] because it is our job to report the statistics.”
Mapa said some of the ongoing surveys include the Consumer Price Index; agricultural statistics such as price of rice; and Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries.
He added that the list includes the Quarterly Survey of Philippine Business and Industry which is an input to the country’s GDP.
By April, the PSA will conduct the Labor Force Survey and Consumer Expectations Survey. The decade census, meanwhile, is poised to begin on May 4.
Meanwhile, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia and the entire National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) are taking the necessary precautions and risk management measures on the possible spread of Covid-19.
Neda self-quarantine
Pernia and other employees of the Neda have gone on self-quarantine as a precaution.
While Pernia had no close contact with the person who tested positive for Covid-19, they were in two separate meetings last week.
“All concerned Neda officials and employees who came in close contact with [were within 1 meter from] the said virus-infected persons were also advised to go on self-quarantine,” Pernia said in a statement.
Pernia said work at the Neda Central Office will be suspended until Friday to complete the disinfection and sanitation procedures. Regular operations will resume on March 16, Monday. However, Pernia said Neda will be adopting flexible work arrangements to limit staff exposure to health risks.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila