Philippine Statistics Authority Region X (Northern Mindanao)

The Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) is a mechanism institutionalized by the PSA which involves the process of evaluating the design and instruments of statistical surveys or censuses sponsored and/or to be conducted by government agencies including government corporations at the national and/or subnational level.

To achieve quality and harmony in the conduct of statistical activities, various coordination mechanisms were instituted by the Philippine Statistical System (PSS), one of which is the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS).

Concept, Purpose and Objectives

• What is the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS)?

 The SSRCS is  mechanism implemented by the PSS through the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which involves the process of evaluating the design and instruments of statistical surveys or censuses sponsored and/or  to  be  conducted by government agencies, including government  corporations at the national and local levels. 

• What is the legal basis of the SSRCS?

Republic Act (RA) No.  10625, also known as the “ Philippine  Statistical  Act  of  2013 ”  mandates  the  PSA  to  establish an SSRCS to provide assistance and support to the  statistical work of government agencies in the PSS, including  the local government units (LGUs) and government - owned  and  controlled corporations  (GOCCs).  The Act which was passed into law on September 12, 2013 created the PSA out of the four major statistical agencies.
The SSRCS was formerly implemented by the NSCB by  virtue  of  Executive  Order  No.  121, “Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) and for Other Purposes ”,  NSCB  Resolution  No.  4 - 88, “ Clearance  of  Statistical  Survey  Forms/Questionnaires ”,  and  NSCB  Memorandum  Circular No.  4 - 95, “ Statistical Survey Review  and No. 4 - 95, “ Statistical Survey Review Clearance System ”,  providing a new set of guidelines for the implementation of  the SSRCS. The SSRCS is now under the purview of the PSA.

• What are the objectives of the SSRCS?

The SSRCS was formulated to ensure conformity with  standard  definitions,  concepts  and  classifications,  and  consequently, the reliability, comparability and accuracy  of  statistics  generated  out  of  said  surveys  and/or censuses. Its specific objectives are: 

        (a) to ensure sound design for data collection; 

        (b) to minimize the burden  placed  upon  respondents;  

        (c)  to  effect  economy  in statistical data collection; 

        (d) to eliminate unnecessary duplication  of  statistical  data  collection;  and  

        (e)  to achieve  better  coordination  of  government  statistical activities.

Scope and Coverage

• What is a statistical survey? A census?

A  survey refers to a data collection activity in which  the primary concern is to compile data or statistics on a  particular  class,  segment,  activity,  or  geographic  area  (sample)  of  a  bigger  population.    It  is  a  method  of  collecting  information  about  the  population  in  which  direct  contact  is  made  with  the  units  of  study,  e.g.,  individuals,  organizations,  communities,  etc.,  through  such  systematic  means  as  statistical  survey  forms,  questionnaires and interview schedules.  

A  census is a  process of complete enumeration of which every unit of  the defined population being studied is included.

• Which statistical surveys/censuses are covered by  the SSRCS?

All statistical surveys/censuses which are sponsored  and/or  conducted  by  government  agencies,  including  corporations, are covered by the SSRCS regardless of the  sample size and funding source.  The system is intended  to be implemented nationwide. 

Those statistical surveys which are conducted by private offices and non - government organizations (NGOs) are not covered by the review process. However, surveys contracted out by government agencies to private  organizations  and  NGOs  are  still  covered  by  the system.

Those  surveys  which  are  conducted  by  government agencies for their internal use, i.e., survey results will neither be published nor released to the general public, are exempted from review and clearance.

• What aspects of a survey or a census are being reviewed by the PSA?

The process of evaluating a survey and/or census proposal dwells primarily on the following aspects: 

        (1)the need for the conduct of the survey/census-Will the need for the data justify the conduct of the survey, or are there other more cost-effective  means  of  generating  the  data?; 

        (2)unnecessary duplication -To minimize the conflicting data and rationalize allocation  of  statistical  responsibilities  among  government agencies, the next thing being considered is whether there is an  existing  similar  activity  generating  the  same  data; 

        (3)sampling design-Is the design appropriate and efficient to come  up  with  the  desired  level  of  reliability  and  level  of disaggregation  within  the  funding  availability?; 

        (4)forms content  and  tables  to  be  generated -Are  the  questions relevant to the objectives of the survey/census? Does it utilize the prescribed standard statistical concepts, definitions and methodologies? Will the table to be generated provide the desired  information?  Are  these  burdensome  to  the respondents?; 

        (5)operational plan-This includes the cost estimates, survey operations, etc.; and 

        (6)statistical outputs -Are the presentations effective enough to meet the objectives of the survey, to suit the needs of data users and to impart the relevance of the survey results?