PSA Guimaras beats LFS target, sharpens poverty data

GUIMARAS — The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Guimaras Provincial Statistical Office exceeded its assigned workload for the July 2026 Labor Force Survey while conducting the 2026 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey as a rider survey.

The surveys generate labor, employment, and poverty data used in government planning, policymaking, and economic development programs.

PSA Guimaras trained field personnel from June 30 to July 4 before conducting household interviews from July 8 to 31.

As of July 31, the agency had interviewed 213 scientifically selected sample households, exceeding its assigned workload of 192 households.

The total represented an accomplishment rate of 110.94%.

The July LFS and 2026 APIS covered 11 primary sampling units across 12 barangays in four Guimaras municipalities.

Buenavista accounted for 89 sample households across six barangays: Magsaysay with 15, New Poblacion with nine, Salvacion with 24, San Isidro with 15, San Nicolas with 16, and San Roque with 10.

Jordan accounted for 37 sample households, including 24 in Barangay Morobuan and 13 in Barangay Santa Teresa.

Barangay M. Chavez in San Lorenzo accounted for 16 sample households.

Sibunag accounted for 71 sample households, including 26 in Barangay Alegria, 27 in Barangay Ayangan, and 18 in Barangay Concordia Norte.

“The selected households were scientifically chosen using PSA’s sampling design to represent the labor force and socio-economic conditions of families in the province,” Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare said.

The LFS is the country’s primary household-based survey for generating official labor and employment statistics.

It collects demographic and socioeconomic information used to measure labor force participation, employment, unemployment, underemployment, hours worked, occupations, and industries.

The data help the government formulate labor policies, develop workforce programs, and monitor changes in the job market.

At the national level, the latest available LFS results showed that the employment rate stood at 95.2% in May 2026, while the labor force participation rate was 63.8%.

The 2026 APIS, conducted alongside the July LFS, collects non-income indicators related to poverty and the living conditions of Filipino families.

The nationwide survey is designed to provide poverty indicators and socioeconomic information at the national and regional levels.

APIS data support estimates for the Multidimensional Poverty Index and provide proxy indicators for selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

For the 2026 survey round, APIS includes expanded modules on informal work, early childhood education, parenting practices, technical-vocational education and training, health, nutrition, and food security.

The survey also covers vaccinations for children ages 0 to 4, children’s safety and participation, and National ID use.

“These enhancements strengthen the government’s capacity to generate comprehensive statistics that support responsive social protection, education, health, and poverty reduction initiatives,” Losare said.

PSA Guimaras attributed the completion of fieldwork to its survey personnel and the cooperation of participating households.

The resulting statistics will help government agencies formulate, implement, and evaluate programs intended to support inclusive economic growth, improve family welfare, and advance sustainable development.

PSA Guimaras said all information collected during the surveys would be treated as confidential under Republic Act No. 10625, or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013, and Republic Act No. 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Republic Act No. 10625 established the PSA as the national government’s central statistical authority.

“Individual responses are used solely for statistical purposes and are released only in the form of summary statistics, ensuring that no personal or household information is disclosed,” Losare said.

PSA Guimaras thanked the participating households for supporting the July 2026 LFS and the 2026 APIS.

“Through the continued participation of respondents and the dedication of its field personnel, the agency remains steadfast in delivering quality statistics that serve as the foundation for informed decision-making, inclusive development, and improved public service,” Losare said.