Law Summary
Scope and Definition of Persons to be Enumerated
- All persons present in the Philippines the night before Census Day, including deceased or departed persons, are counted.
- Persons on ships within Philippine jurisdiction or engaged in coastwise trade are included.
- U.S. armed forces personnel are separately recorded and excluded from Philippine population counts unless Filipino citizens.
- Enumeration of U.S. armed forces requires military consent.
Census Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner
- A Commissioner and an Assistant Commissioner appointed by the President with consent from the Commission on Appointments.
- Compensation capped at specific amounts annually.
- They are responsible for direct execution of census provisions under presidential control.
Appointment of Census Personnel
- Supervisors, enumerators, and other personnel appointed by the President at fixed salaries.
- Government officers designated to Census duties may be temporarily released from other duties.
Mandatory Designation of Government Employees
- National and local government employees designated for Census work must accept and perform duties.
- Their regular salaries continue but no additional compensation except authorized per diems and travel expenses.
Restrictions on Personnel Transfer
- Transfers of personnel assigned to Census must not occur until completion of their census work or require 15 days prior notice to the Commissioner.
Duration of Census Service
- Census duties begin on dates fixed by the President and continue until relief is granted.
- Further service may be required post-relief if necessary.
Oath of Census Officers and Employees
- All appointed or designated Census personnel must take an oath to perform duties accurately.
- Oaths administered by superior Census officers or authorized public officials without fee.
Duties of Supervisors
- Perform duties assigned by the Census Commissioner.
- Follow Commissioner’s orders and instructions strictly.
Duties of Enumerators
- Collect prescribed facts and statistics, possibly including fingerprints.
- Personally visit all dwellings and individuals to obtain information.
- Prepare and forward returns within 30 days; extensions up to 15 days may be authorized.
Presidential Authority and Territorial Subdivision
- President authorized to perform all acts necessary for the census.
- President may delegate authority to the Census Commissioner.
- Power to subdivide territory for census convenience.
Publication of Census Data
- Partial or complete census data may be published by Presidential order.
- Data presented by administrative subdivisions such as provinces and municipalities.
Census Advisory Boards
- Established in each province, composed of provincial board members and appointees, not exceeding five members.
- Duty to assist and advise census officers and promote cooperation.
- Not mandatory in City of Manila and non-Christian provinces.
Enumeration by Owners or Persons in Charge
- President may require owners or managers of certain areas or establishments to conduct enumeration.
- Such persons take an oath, have enumerator powers, and are subject to penalties for nonperformance.
- Government-owned or U.S. establishments require prior approval for this practice.
- Census officers may review, revise, or re-enumerate as necessary.
Special Areas and Establishments Enumerated by Responsible Persons
- Includes private dwellings of literate persons, military reservations, hospitals, prisons, schools, hotels, ships, farms, and others.
- Persons responsible may delegate duties but remain accountable.
Collection of Additional Social and Economic Data
- President may require collection of further statistics beyond population, covering businesses, organizations, and properties.
- Responsible persons must complete and submit census forms as prescribed.
Confidentiality and Use of Census Information
- Information from corporations or other entities is confidential.
- Not to be used as evidence in court or for tax assessments.
- Only authorized census officers may access such information.
- Census reports must not disclose identity without written consent.
Correction and Re-enumeration of Incomplete Data
- President can command corrections or re-taking of census if data is incomplete or inaccurate.
Duty to Assist Census Officers
- All residents required to assist census officers in enforcement of the Act.
Leasing and Expenditure Authority
- Census Commissioner authorized to rent, furnish, and pay expenses for necessary Census offices.
Confidentiality of Census Forms and Records
- Census information disclosed only to census officials.
- Publications to be in aggregate form without identifying individuals.
- Census forms destroyed after administrative use.
- Census records generally inadmissible as evidence except for prosecutions under the Act.
Penalties for Refusal or Neglect (Light Offenses)
- Fines up to 100 pesos or imprisonment up to 30 days, or both, for refusal to supply information, remove census marks, failure to notify non-enumeration or double enumeration, or refusal to comply with census provisions.
Penalties for More Serious Offenses
- Fines up to 600 pesos or imprisonment up to 6 months, or both, for:
- Failure of responsible persons to properly complete census forms.
- Refusal to give access or obstructing census officials.
- Misrepresentation or inducing false statements.
- Misuse of transportation or services for census purposes.
Penalties for Fraud, Impersonation, and Corruption
- Fines up to 2000 pesos or imprisonment up to 2 years, or both, for:
- Impersonating census officers.
- Offering rewards to alter census records.
- Fraudulent acts to secure Census employment.
Penalties for Census Employees’ Misconduct
- Fines up to 600 pesos or imprisonment up to 6 months for:
- Refusal to perform duties or neglect.
- Unauthorized disclosure of census data.
- Soliciting or receiving bribes.
- Asking unauthorized or improper questions.
- Unauthorized entry into private areas.
Disciplinary Action for Government Employees Refusing Census Duty
- Refusal by any government official or employee to accept census duty results in disciplinary measures.
Penalties for Incomplete Enumeration by Responsible Persons
- Additional fines for enumerations requiring re-doing, calculated per person enumerated anew.
Jurisdiction of Courts
- Courts of First Instance have concurrent jurisdiction over offenses punishable under this Act, expanding beyond justices of the peace.
Census Funding and Budget
- Funds appropriated by law; President authorized to allot.
- Census Commissioner to prepare and submit budget for approval.
- Funds may be expended for preliminary census testing efforts.
Administrative Fines and Compensation Adjustments
- President may impose fines on census personnel for inefficiency or improper performance, with fines deducted from compensation.
Handling of Census Property Post-Enumeration
- After publication, census properties and records (excluding official copies) are transferred for updating statistical data.
Regulations on Per Diems and Expenses
- Governed by existing laws with presidential authority to regulate and limit per diems.
- Officers detailed from other government offices may have per diems paid from Census funds.
Prohibition on Surcharges for Government Services
- Government units may only charge actual cost for services or supplies rendered for Census.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect upon approval.