The islands of Tinian and Rota are almost 100 percent complete and ahead of schedule with the last follow-up and quality assurance activities scheduled to be complete by June 1. Saipan is 85 percent complete and on schedule for all Census activities to be completed by August. The official count began on April 1st, and workers have been in the villages over the last six weeks as part of the first phase of the Census operation.
“We have been extremely happy with the cooperation of our residents so far. Many understand how important the Census is and how much federal funding is on the line for the next 10 years based on the results of the Census”, said Juan Borja, Local Census Office manager. “We have had residents call the office just to make sure a Census worker is coming to pick up their form or interview them. People truly understand what this means to the CNMI and that everyone is touched in some way by the Census results,” he added.
The 2010 CNMI Census is a count of everyone, citizen and non-citizen, living in the CNMI.
Census data are used to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state, territorial and tribal governments each year, and to help government and community leaders to make decisions about what services to provide. Many government and NGO’s receive federal funding and that funding is typically based on Census data provided by CNMI residents. It is much easier to collect data for those who live in the mainland U.S. because of the number of surveys that take place regularly and availability of statistics not available in the CNMI. The commonwealth is forced to rely on the decennial Census as the basis for much of the funding received.
“We have received a few inquiries about the number of questions asked and why they are needed. I can assure you that each question has a specific purpose that would not be asked if it was not necessary. The operators in the Telephone Assistance Center can explain to anyone who calls why the question is being asked,” said Rebecca Diaz Cartagena, CNMI Census advisor. “At first glance questions may seem unimportant, but once a resident understands why they are needed, we have found them to be cooperative because they see that this information is just not available and truly gives a snapshot of the current conditions in the CNMI,” she added.
The next phase of the Census operation has now begun and residents may receive a follow-up call in person or over the phone to ensure their answers are accurate and that the answers were given by them and not another person. “This is a random quality assurance program that the U.S. Census Bureau requires in order to certify that the data received is as accurate as possible,” Diaz Cartagena said.
All Census forms were given an individual number by census workers that match a number, or map spot, on the official U.S. Census Bureau maps. While the last residents are being counted, clerks in the office are making sure there is a form for each map spot. They also ensure that there is only one form per household. Field staff may also need to verify maps in the villages so it is possible to see Census workers for the next two months as all the information is certified as final. Once all of the follow-up operations are completed, all forms will be bundled and sent to the U.S. to be tabulated.
The Local Census Office is asking any resident who has not been visited by a Census employee to please call the Telephone Assistance Center at 288-3040 so that a Census worker can be sent to the residence and either pick up the completed form or interview the resident and fill out the form for them. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, Saturday 12 noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 6 p.m., except on holidays.
Assistance is available in multiple languages and operators will enlist the help of translators when necessary.
All answers given to Census workers are confidential and protected by law. Census workers take an oath for 72 years and face up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine for disclosing any Census data.
For further information about the 2010 CNMI Census, call 288-3023/27.
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