Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8487

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM CENSUS OF FILIPINOS RESIDING ABROAD AND
TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS BE INCLUDED IN REGULAR CENSUSES

The Constitution, Article II, Section 5 provides:

The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and

property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

Millions of Filipinos live and work overseas while continuing to vote and pay taxes in the

Philippines. They help in the economy and serve as economic, political and cultural
“ambassadors” of the country.

Hence, the National Statistics Office should undertake a census of all Filipinos residing
abroad in a special census and eventually in regular censuses as they, albeit living
abroad, deserve to receive the same benefits and privileges local residents get.

This bill seeks to provide for an interim census of Filipinos residing abroad for the
purpose of eventually including them in regular censuses.

(LIU Al

if
LUIS RAYMY “LRAY” F/VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

848?

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON.

. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM CENSUS OF FILIPINOS RESIDING ABROAD AND
TCO REQUIRE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS BE INCLUDED IN REGULAR CENSUSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Census of Filipinos Abroad
Act.”

SECTION 2. Census of Filipinos Residing Abroad. —

~The National Statistics Office shall —
(1) Take a special census of all Filipinos residing abroad on March within three
hundred and sixty (360) days after the passage of this Act.
(2) Submit the final tabulations under the special census to the President and
Congress within nine (9) months after the date specified in paragraph (1), broken
down into all appropriate categories, including —
(a) Filipinos residing abroad affiliated with the Government, and their
dependents; and
(b) Filipinos residing abroad not affiliated with the Government, and their
dependents.
(3) The office, for purposes of facilitating the census scheme, shall:
(a) Develop counting methodologies;
(b) Define the purposes for which any information could or should be use; and
(c) Whether Filipinos residing abroad can be included in the regular census for
purposes of the appointment of Representatives in Congress and, if so how that
should be done.
(4) Take appropriate measures—
(a) To provide for the inclusion of Filipinos residing abroad in the next regular



census and censuses thereafter; and

(b) To make use of the information obtained from such censuses for such
purposes as, and to maximum extent that, the office considers feasible and
appropriate.

(B) Interim Report on Special Ci — Not later than ninety (90) days after the
enactment of this Act, the National Statistics Office shall submit to the committees of
Congress having legislative jurisdiction over the census a report which shall include—
(1) Asummary of how the plans and preparations for carrying out the special census
are proceeding;
(2) Abrief description or outline of how the tabulations in the special census are to
be carried out; and
(3) Information identifying any experts, consultants, interest groups, or other persons
outside the office who were consulted in connection with the special census.

(C) Authorization of Appropriations. - There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — If any provisions or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,