The National Statistics Office (NSO), the major statistical agency of the government, is set to conduct the 2008 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) starting April this year.

The nationwide undertaking aims to provide data on the structure and level of economic activity in the country. Up-to-date economic information enables planners, both from the government and the private sector, to analyze industry structures and to evaluate business performance; to make effective plans and sound business decisions; and, to formulate meaningful policies and appropriate market strategies.

The 2008 ASPBI is confined to the formal sector and will cover establishments engaged in agriculture, hunting and forestry; fishing; mining and quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas and water supply; construction; wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and personal and household goods; hotels and restaurants; transport, storage and communications; financial intermediation; real estate, renting and business activities; private education; health and social work; and, other community, social and personal service activities as defined in the amended 1994 Philippine Standard Industrial Classification.

Along with the conduct of the 2008 ASPBI is the 2008 Survey on Information and Communication Technology (SICT). This rider survey aims to collect information on the availability, distribution and utilization of ICT among industries and businesses in the country and to generate indicators of progress that will aid decision-making, policy formulation and investment in ICT.

The Task Force Training, whose participants will serve as trainers for the second and third level trainings, was conducted last February 2- 6. Two more specialized trainings for NSO regional and provincial personnel who will be involved in the two surveys will be conducted in March 2009. These trainings are necessary to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data that will be generated by the data-gathering activity.

Survey questionnaires will be delivered personally to sample establishments by trained NSO field men from April 1 - 30. Collection of the accomplished forms will start ten days after distribution. Respondents are assured that any information obtained during the survey shall be held strictly confidential pursuant to Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 591.

The preliminary and final results of the undertaking with analysis are targeted for release on the first and last quarter of next year, respectively. Individual volumes for the 14 major economic sectors and economy-wide results will be made available in print and electronic copies.#