The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office VIII (PSA – RSSO 8) will conduct the 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF) on 04 September to 25 October 2023.

The 2022 CAF is a large-scale government undertaking geared towards the collection and compilation of basic information on agriculture and fishery sectors in the country. Specifically, this aims to 1) determine the structural characteristics of agriculture and fisheries, including their facilities and services in the barangay; 2) provide the sampling frame for the conduct of periodic agricultural and fishery surveys; 3) provide basic data on the agriculture, aquaculture and fishing characteristics for use in the government’s national and local development planning; and 4) provide data on the agricultural, aquaculture and fishery facilities and services available in the barangay.

During enumeration, all households in the sample barangay will be listed and interviewed to determine the presence of household members who were operators (those who managed or operated crops, livestock/poultry and/or insects/worms, aquaculture, and /or fishing activity) during the period 01 January to 31 December 2022. All Punong Barangays or any incumbent barangay officials will also be interviewed about crop farm, livestock and poultry farm, aquafarm and fishing operations in their respective area.

The main method to be used for household and barangay interviews is Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI). However, if face-to-face interview is not possible, either telephone interview or Self-Administered Questionnaire in printed form will be used.

In line with this, PSA enjoins all sample barangays and households to support the nationwide conduct of the 2022 CAF by providing truthful information to authorized PSA Statistical Researchers who will visit them to conduct the interview. The office assures the public that required public health and safety measures will be strictly observed in all phases of field operations. All PSA personnel and hired statistical researchers who will be deployed are healthy and will wear PSA ID for proper identification.

PSA – RSSO 8 adheres to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality pursuant to R.A. No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and R.A. No. 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013. Section 26 of RA No. 10625 stipulates that “individual data furnished by a respondent to statistical inquiries, surveys, and censuses of PSA shall be considered privileged communication and as such shall be inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding”. All survey results will be released in the form of summaries or statistical tables. (PR)

ORMOC CITY-The PNP Maritime group has expressed gratitude to Mayor Rolando Villacencio of Merida, Leyte for approving their request to amend a municipal ordinance in connection with the permit and registration of fishing vessels of 3 tons and below.

Police Major Benjamin Lodo, chief of the PNP Maritime Northern Leyte, said that the approved amendment includes a provision directing all fishing vessels that would ask for a permit should seek their office first before the municipal government would issue their permit and registration.

Major Lodo explained that there is only one reason that their office sought the LGU’s support on this matter and that is to ensure that the engines used by fishing boats are legally owned and not stolen.

Major Lodo also appealed to the fishermen and fishing operators in Merida to comply in registering their vessels and motorboats and ask permission from their concerned LGUs to avoid arrest while doing their livelihood.
(ROBERT DEJON)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief in this city will be organizing a candidates’ forum in connection to the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The forum is aimed at informing the candidates of the prohibitions imposed during the election period, lawyer Maria Goretti Cañas said.

Based on their record, there were over 3,500 candidates are running for the forthcoming barangay and youth balloting.

“We will inform them on all prohibitions especially now that we already entered the election period; what are the prohibited acts during and outside the campaign period so that we lessen in the filing of cases against a candidate,” Cañas said.

Among these prohibitions include the posting on social media of the candidates or their relatives or even others who will promote their candidacy outside the allocated date of the campaign period.

The Comelec had scheduled the campaign period for the barangay and SK elections to start from October 19 to 28.

“Campaigning also covers their post on social media, this should be taken down unless gusto nira nga cases will be filed against them. Most of our candidates are unaware of this rule pero ignorance of the law excuses no one to compliance therewith,” Caňas said.

Aside from briefing the candidates, the polls official added that they will also conduct training for individuals who will compose the electoral board.

“It is very important considering that the October 30 BSKE is a manual election,” Cañas said, adding that the training will be conducted on all Saturdays of September.
Caňas added that they also have a schedule for posting the names of all official candidates for the BSKE.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

ORMOC CITY-The abundance of marine life foods in the seawaters of Catarman, Northern Samar resulted in the frequent visit of the world’s biggest fish locally called “butanding” or whale shark.

The latest whale shark citing took place last August 25 at about 3 pm on the shore of Barangay Dalakit in the said town.

The frequent presence of this world’s largest fish was observed by local residents who do not disturb them while they are hunting for food.

The whale shark was seen in the area until 5 pm.

Local residents in the area just observed what the whale shark was doing as the local government of this town prevented them from harming this endangered fish based on national law.

After enjoying the Catarman waters, the whale shark returned to the depths of the waters.
The presence of this giant marine fish is common in Eastern Visayas.

In Southern Leyte, whale sharks have been observed to be present several times in a year passing at their seawaters. Their presence became important to the LGUs as this boosted their tourism industry.
(ROBERT DEJON)