PSA Bataan reports 2015 PopCen

CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan – Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Bataan presented the 2015 Census of Population (2015 PopCen) of the province during the Provincial Data Dissemination Forum in celebration of the 27^th National Statistics Month with the theme “Sustainable Development: Making Statistics Count”, held today, October 26, at The Plaza Hotel, this City.

PSA Regional Director, Mr. Edgardo G. Pare, RSSO III, in his message stressed the vital role of census and its importance in the government, especially in policy making and conceptualizing of different projects.

Mr. Francisco P. Corpuz, Supervising Statistical Specialist discussed the background of the 2015 census of population, giving an overview on the importance, goals, legal bases, procedures and methodology and purposes of census of population.

Proceeding to the highlights of the event, Mr. Richard T. Guevarra, Statistical Specialist II, presented the 2015 population counts. The population of Bataan as of August 1, 2015 is 760, 650 based on the 2015 PopCen, which is higher by 73, 168 compared with 687, 482 in 2010. He also cited the annual population growth rate (in percent) in Bataan with a significant 1.94% from 2010-2015, and 2.11% in 2000-2010.

Of the province’s 1 city and 11 municipalities, Mariveles has the biggest population (127, 536), followed by Dinalupihan (106, 371) and Balanga City (96, 061) which sum up 43.4% of the population of the province. Bagac is the smallest municipality in terms of population size (28, 936), followed by Morong (29, 901) and Samal (35, 298).

Population Density and Population Counts by Legislative District were discussed by Mrs. Maria Rosario C. Dela Rosa, Registration Officer II and Mr. Reynaldo P. Caparas, respectively.

Dinalupihan has the biggest population density (1,150 person per sq/km²) followed by Pilar (1, 112 person per sq/km²) and Orani (1,031 person per sq/km²). Still, Bagac has the smallest population density (117 person per sq/km²) followed by Morong (136 person per sq/km²) and Hermosa (420 person per sq/km²).

Over lunch, Mrs. Ledesma L. Morante presented her research paper about illegitimate children (Region III and Bataan scenario). Based on her research, Bataan recorded a high proportion of illegitimate babies with 7,749 babies listed, following Zambales and Bulacan in the year 2014.

Supporting her claim about Bataan having a high proportion of illegitimate babies, she said that eight out of 12 municipalities in the province have a proportion greater than 50%, headed by Morong with 63%, followed by Mariveles with 58.1% and Pilar with 57.1%.

Questions and concerns of the participants were instantly attended to during the open forum.