SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2037 
'13 
OEC 11 
P2:47 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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 proposed measure seeks to provide for an interim census of Filipinos 
residing abroad for the purpose of eventually including them in regular census. 
In view thereof, the early passage of this proposed measure is highly 
recommended. 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
Senate Bill No. 2037 
"13 
OEC 11 
P2:47 
RECEIVED BY:-f 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR AN INTERIM CENSUS OF FILIPINOS RESIDING ABROAD 
AND TO REQUIRE THAT SUCH INDIVIDUALS BE INCLUDED IN REGULAR 
CENSUSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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'. 
SEC. 2. Counting of Filipinos Abroad. - The National Statistics Office 
(NSO) shall: 
(1) take a special census of all Filipinos residing abroad within 360 days 
after the approval of this Act; 
(2) submit the final tabulations under the special censUS to the President 
of the Philippines and both Houses of 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 used; and 
(c) whether Filipinos residing abroad can be included in the regUlar 
census 
for 
the 
purposes 
of 
the 
apportionment 
of 
representatives in Congress and, if so, how it should be done; 
and 
(4) take appropriate measures 


(a) to provide for the inclusion of Filipinos residing abroad in the 
nest regular census thereafter; 
(b) Interirn Report on Special Census - not later them ninety (90) 
days after the approval of this Act, the National Statistics Office 
shall subrnit to the appropriate cornrnittees of both Houses of 
Congress a report which shall include -
I. a surnrnary of how the plans and preparations for 
carrying out the special census are proceeding; 
ii. a brief description or outline of how the tabulations in the 
special census are to be carried out; and 
iii. inforrnation identifying any experts, consultants, interest 
groups, or persons who were consulted in connection 
with the special census. 
SEC. 3. 
Authorization of Appropriations. -
Such surn as rnay be 
necessary to carry out this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated frorn the 
National Treasury. 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, adrninistrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
rnodified, or arnended accordingly. 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, adrninistrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, 
rnodified or arnended accordingly 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,