Survey on Overseas Filipinos 2008
Philippines, 2008
Reference ID
PHL-NSO-SOF-2008-v2.0
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National Statistics Office
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Sep 14, 2021
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Identification
Survey on Overseas Filipinos 2008
Name | Abbreviation |
---|---|
Philippines | PHL |
PHL-NSO-SOF-2008-v2.0
This report summarizes the findings of the 2008 Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF) undertaken by the National Statistics Office as a rider to October 2008 Labor Force Survey.
The survey was designed to gather national estimates on the number of overseas workers, their socio economic characteristics and other information pertaining to the overseas workers who worked or have worked abroad from April to September 2008. The remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in cash or in kind were also accounted for the specified reference period. The SOF data are useful inputs to government planners, migrant advocates, researchers, academes, concerned citizens, and other data users to the formulation of policies and programs for the welfare of the overseas Filipino.
We take this opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude all our Respondents who generously shared their time and provided the needed information about the survey, and all the NSO Central and Field Office personnel for their untiring efforts and dedication for the completion of the survey.
The survey was designed to gather national estimates on the number of overseas workers, their socio economic characteristics and other information pertaining to the overseas workers who worked or have worked abroad from April to September 2008. The remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in cash or in kind were also accounted for the specified reference period. The SOF data are useful inputs to government planners, migrant advocates, researchers, academes, concerned citizens, and other data users to the formulation of policies and programs for the welfare of the overseas Filipino.
We take this opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude all our Respondents who generously shared their time and provided the needed information about the survey, and all the NSO Central and Field Office personnel for their untiring efforts and dedication for the completion of the survey.
Sample survey data [ssd]
Individuals
Version
v2.0: edited data, for public use.
2009-10-12
Scope
Topic | Vocabulary | URI |
---|---|---|
Overseas Filipino Workers | ||
Overseas Contract Workers |
keyword | URI |
---|---|
Overseas Filipino Workers | |
Overseas Contract Workers |
Coverage
The geographic coverage consists of the country's 17 administrative regions defined in Executive Order (EO) 36 and 131. The 17 regions are:
National Capital Region (NCR)
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Region I - Ilocos Region
Region II - Cagayan Valley
Region III - Central Luzon
Region IV-A - CALABARZON
Region IV-B - MIMAROPA
Region V - Bicol Region
Region VI - Western Visayas
Region VII - Central Visayas
Region VIII - Eastern Visayas
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula
Region X - Northern Mindanao
Region XI - Davao Region
Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN
Caraga
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
National Capital Region (NCR)
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Region I - Ilocos Region
Region II - Cagayan Valley
Region III - Central Luzon
Region IV-A - CALABARZON
Region IV-B - MIMAROPA
Region V - Bicol Region
Region VI - Western Visayas
Region VII - Central Visayas
Region VIII - Eastern Visayas
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula
Region X - Northern Mindanao
Region XI - Davao Region
Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN
Caraga
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
Barangays
Individuals
Overseas Filipinos whose departure occured within the last five years and who are working or had worked abroad during the past six months (April to September) of the survey period.
Producers and sponsors
Name | Abbreviation | Role |
---|---|---|
National Statistics Office | NSO |
Sampling
The SOF, as a rider to the Labor Force Survey (LFS), used the sampling design of the 2003 Master Sample (MS) for Household Surveys starting July 2003. The design of the Master Sample is described below:
1. Domain
The 2003 MS considers the country’s 17 administrative regions as its sampling domain. A domain is referred to as a subdivision of the country in which estimates with adequate level of precision is generated. It must be noted that while there is demand for data at the provincial level (and to some extent municipal and barangay levels), these were not treated as domain because of its large number (more than 80) and the large resource requirement it would entail. Below are the 17 administrative regions of the country:
National Capital Region
Cordillera Administrative Region
Region I - Ilocos
Region II - Cagayan Valley
Region III - Central Luzon
Region IVA - CALABARZON
Region IVB - MIMAROPA
Region V - Bicol
Region VI - Western Visayas
Region VII - Central Visayas
Region VIII - Eastern Visayas
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula
Region X - Northern Mindanao
Region XI - Davao
Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN
Region XIII - Caraga
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
2. Sampling Frame
As in most household surveys, the 2003 MS made use of an area sample design. For this purpose, the Enumeration Area Reference File (EARF) of the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) was utilized as sampling frame. The EARF contains the number of households by enumeration area (EA) in each barangay.
This frame was used to form the primary sampling units (PSUs). With consideration of the period for which the 2003 MS will be in use, the PSUs were formed/defined as a barangay or a combination of barangays with at least 500 households.
3. Sample Size
The 2003 MS consists of a sample of 2,835 PSUs of which 330 were certainty
PSUs and 2,505 were non-certainty PSUs. The entire MS was divided into four
sub-samples or independent replicates, such as a quarter sample contains one
fourth of the PSUs found in one replicate; a half sample contains one-half of the
PSUs in two replicates. The SOF as a rider to the LFS utilizes the full sample.
4. Stratification
The 2003 MS considers the 17 regions of the country as the primary strata. Within each region, further stratification was performed using geographic groupings such as provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs). Within each of these substrata formed within regions, the PSUs were further stratified, to the extent possible, using the proportion of strong houses (PSTRONG), indicator of engagement in agriculture of the area (AGRI), and a measure of per capita income as stratification factors (PERCAPITA).
PSTRONG is defined to be the percentage of occupied housing units that are classified as made of strong materials in terms of both the roof and outer walls, based on the data from the 2000 CPH. A roof is considered made of strong material if it is made of either galvanized iron, aluminum, concrete/clay tile, half galvanized-half concrete, or asbestos. The outer wall is considered made of strong material if it is made of concrete, brick, stone, wood, half concrete-half wood, galvanized iron, asbestos or glass.
AGRI was determined in the following way: initially, an indicator variable was computed at the barangay level. That variable has the value 1 if more than 50 percent of the households in the barangay were engaged in agriculture or fisheries and 0 otherwise, based on the 2000 CPH Barangay Schedule. To obtain a measure at the PSU level, a weighted average of the barangay indicator variable was computed for all the barangays within the PSU, weighted by the total number of households in the barangay. Thus, the value of AGRI at the PSU level lies between 0 and 1.
PERCAPITA is defined as the total income of the municipality divided by the total population in that municipality. Note that the PERCAPITA value of the PSUs is the same if the PSUs are in the same municipality. The data on municipal income refer to year 2000 and were taken from the Department of Finance. However, if the 2000 municipal income was not reported to the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), 2001 income was used. If no 2000 or 2001 municipal income was reported, the income classification from the BLGF for this municipality was obtained. Using the data on income, which are presented in income intervals, the average of the lower and the upper values of the income interval for the municipal class to which this municipality belongs were determined.
5. Sample Selection
The 2003 MS consists of a sample of 2,835 PSUs. The entire MS was divided into four sub-samples or independent replicates, such as a quarter sample contains one fourth of the total PSUs; a half sample contains one-half of the four subsamples or equivalent to all PSUs in two replicates.
The final number of sample PSUs for each domain was determined by first classifying PSUs as either self-representing (SR) or non-self-representing (NSR). In addition, to facilitate the selection of subsamples, the total number of NSR PSUs in each region was adjusted to make it a multiple of 4.
SR PSUs refers to a very large PSU in the region/domain with a selection probability of approximately 1 or higher and is outright included in the MS; it is properly treated as a stratum; also known as certainty PSU. NSR PSUs refers to a regular too small sized PSU in a region/domain; also known as non certainty PSU. The 2003 MS consists of 330 certainty PSUs and 2,505 non-certainty PSUs.
To have some control over the sub-sample size, the PSUs were selected with probability proportional to some estimated measure of size. The size measure refers to the total number of households from the 2000 CPH. Because of the wide variation in PSU sizes, PSUs with selection probabilities greater than 1 were identified and were included in the sample as certainty selections.
At the second stage, enumeration areas (EAs) were selected within sampled PSUs, and at the third stage, housing units were selected within sampled EAs. Generally, all households in sampled housing units were enumerated, except for few cases when the number of households in a housing unit exceeds three. In which case, a sample of three households in a sampled housing unit was selected at random with equal probability.
An EA is defined as an area with discernable boundaries within barangays consisting of about 150 contiguous households. These EAs were identified during the 2000 CPH. A housing unit, on the other hand, is a structurally separate and independent place of abode which, by the way it has been constructed, converted, or arranged, is intended for habitation by a household.
1. Domain
The 2003 MS considers the country’s 17 administrative regions as its sampling domain. A domain is referred to as a subdivision of the country in which estimates with adequate level of precision is generated. It must be noted that while there is demand for data at the provincial level (and to some extent municipal and barangay levels), these were not treated as domain because of its large number (more than 80) and the large resource requirement it would entail. Below are the 17 administrative regions of the country:
National Capital Region
Cordillera Administrative Region
Region I - Ilocos
Region II - Cagayan Valley
Region III - Central Luzon
Region IVA - CALABARZON
Region IVB - MIMAROPA
Region V - Bicol
Region VI - Western Visayas
Region VII - Central Visayas
Region VIII - Eastern Visayas
Region IX - Zamboanga Peninsula
Region X - Northern Mindanao
Region XI - Davao
Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN
Region XIII - Caraga
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
2. Sampling Frame
As in most household surveys, the 2003 MS made use of an area sample design. For this purpose, the Enumeration Area Reference File (EARF) of the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (CPH) was utilized as sampling frame. The EARF contains the number of households by enumeration area (EA) in each barangay.
This frame was used to form the primary sampling units (PSUs). With consideration of the period for which the 2003 MS will be in use, the PSUs were formed/defined as a barangay or a combination of barangays with at least 500 households.
3. Sample Size
The 2003 MS consists of a sample of 2,835 PSUs of which 330 were certainty
PSUs and 2,505 were non-certainty PSUs. The entire MS was divided into four
sub-samples or independent replicates, such as a quarter sample contains one
fourth of the PSUs found in one replicate; a half sample contains one-half of the
PSUs in two replicates. The SOF as a rider to the LFS utilizes the full sample.
4. Stratification
The 2003 MS considers the 17 regions of the country as the primary strata. Within each region, further stratification was performed using geographic groupings such as provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs), and independent component cities (ICCs). Within each of these substrata formed within regions, the PSUs were further stratified, to the extent possible, using the proportion of strong houses (PSTRONG), indicator of engagement in agriculture of the area (AGRI), and a measure of per capita income as stratification factors (PERCAPITA).
PSTRONG is defined to be the percentage of occupied housing units that are classified as made of strong materials in terms of both the roof and outer walls, based on the data from the 2000 CPH. A roof is considered made of strong material if it is made of either galvanized iron, aluminum, concrete/clay tile, half galvanized-half concrete, or asbestos. The outer wall is considered made of strong material if it is made of concrete, brick, stone, wood, half concrete-half wood, galvanized iron, asbestos or glass.
AGRI was determined in the following way: initially, an indicator variable was computed at the barangay level. That variable has the value 1 if more than 50 percent of the households in the barangay were engaged in agriculture or fisheries and 0 otherwise, based on the 2000 CPH Barangay Schedule. To obtain a measure at the PSU level, a weighted average of the barangay indicator variable was computed for all the barangays within the PSU, weighted by the total number of households in the barangay. Thus, the value of AGRI at the PSU level lies between 0 and 1.
PERCAPITA is defined as the total income of the municipality divided by the total population in that municipality. Note that the PERCAPITA value of the PSUs is the same if the PSUs are in the same municipality. The data on municipal income refer to year 2000 and were taken from the Department of Finance. However, if the 2000 municipal income was not reported to the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), 2001 income was used. If no 2000 or 2001 municipal income was reported, the income classification from the BLGF for this municipality was obtained. Using the data on income, which are presented in income intervals, the average of the lower and the upper values of the income interval for the municipal class to which this municipality belongs were determined.
5. Sample Selection
The 2003 MS consists of a sample of 2,835 PSUs. The entire MS was divided into four sub-samples or independent replicates, such as a quarter sample contains one fourth of the total PSUs; a half sample contains one-half of the four subsamples or equivalent to all PSUs in two replicates.
The final number of sample PSUs for each domain was determined by first classifying PSUs as either self-representing (SR) or non-self-representing (NSR). In addition, to facilitate the selection of subsamples, the total number of NSR PSUs in each region was adjusted to make it a multiple of 4.
SR PSUs refers to a very large PSU in the region/domain with a selection probability of approximately 1 or higher and is outright included in the MS; it is properly treated as a stratum; also known as certainty PSU. NSR PSUs refers to a regular too small sized PSU in a region/domain; also known as non certainty PSU. The 2003 MS consists of 330 certainty PSUs and 2,505 non-certainty PSUs.
To have some control over the sub-sample size, the PSUs were selected with probability proportional to some estimated measure of size. The size measure refers to the total number of households from the 2000 CPH. Because of the wide variation in PSU sizes, PSUs with selection probabilities greater than 1 were identified and were included in the sample as certainty selections.
At the second stage, enumeration areas (EAs) were selected within sampled PSUs, and at the third stage, housing units were selected within sampled EAs. Generally, all households in sampled housing units were enumerated, except for few cases when the number of households in a housing unit exceeds three. In which case, a sample of three households in a sampled housing unit was selected at random with equal probability.
An EA is defined as an area with discernable boundaries within barangays consisting of about 150 contiguous households. These EAs were identified during the 2000 CPH. A housing unit, on the other hand, is a structurally separate and independent place of abode which, by the way it has been constructed, converted, or arranged, is intended for habitation by a household.
Survey on Overseas Filipinos is a rider to the October round of the Labor Force Survey every year.
Column 11 of the Labor Force Survey questionnaire (ISH Form 2) is used to identify the overseas contract worker and other overseas Filipino worker among the household members.
All of these household members have a corresponding SOF questionnaires and these questionnaires are all responded.
Column 11 of the Labor Force Survey questionnaire (ISH Form 2) is used to identify the overseas contract worker and other overseas Filipino worker among the household members.
All of these household members have a corresponding SOF questionnaires and these questionnaires are all responded.
Calculation of Basic Weights:
Following a standard approach, the weights to be used in analyzing surveys based on the 2003 MS are developed in three stages.
First, base weights are computed to compensate for the unequal selection probabilities in the sample design.
Second, the base weights are adjusted to compensate for unit non-response.
Third , the non-response adjusted weights are further adjusted to make some weighted sample distributions to conform to some known population totals.
Final Survey Weight
The final survey weight assigned to each responding unit is computed as the product of the base weight, the non-response adjustment, and the population weighting adjustment. The final weights should be used in all analyses to produce valid estimates of population parameters.
Following a standard approach, the weights to be used in analyzing surveys based on the 2003 MS are developed in three stages.
First, base weights are computed to compensate for the unequal selection probabilities in the sample design.
Second, the base weights are adjusted to compensate for unit non-response.
Third , the non-response adjusted weights are further adjusted to make some weighted sample distributions to conform to some known population totals.
Final Survey Weight
The final survey weight assigned to each responding unit is computed as the product of the base weight, the non-response adjustment, and the population weighting adjustment. The final weights should be used in all analyses to produce valid estimates of population parameters.
Data Collection
Start | End | Cycle |
---|---|---|
2008-10-08 | 2008-10-30 |
Start | End | Cycle |
---|---|---|
2008-10-08 | 2008-10-30 |
Face-to-face [f2f]
The Regional Directors (RDs), Provincial Statistical Officers (PSOs) , Provincial Statisticians and selected District Statistics Officers (DSOs)/ Statistical Coordination Officers (SCOs) were provided funds for supervision. It is expected that there should always be strict supervision on the conduct of the survey.
Prior to start of field supervision, all field personnel who are authorized to supervise the survey operation were required to prepare an itinerary of travel to insure effective and close supervision of the enumerators. A copy of the itinerary of travel were required to be available in the field office so that in case some problems or other matters require the attention of a supervisor, then he can be located easily.
It is the responsibility of the supervisors to give prompt action to problems in the field. The RDs, PSOs and their assistants should visit enumerators (ENs) within their jurisdiction to find out for themselves if instructions are being followed.
Central Office Statisticians were assigned to provinces to supervise and monitor the conduct of the survey.
Prior to start of field supervision, all field personnel who are authorized to supervise the survey operation were required to prepare an itinerary of travel to insure effective and close supervision of the enumerators. A copy of the itinerary of travel were required to be available in the field office so that in case some problems or other matters require the attention of a supervisor, then he can be located easily.
It is the responsibility of the supervisors to give prompt action to problems in the field. The RDs, PSOs and their assistants should visit enumerators (ENs) within their jurisdiction to find out for themselves if instructions are being followed.
Central Office Statisticians were assigned to provinces to supervise and monitor the conduct of the survey.
SOF Form 2 is the household (HH) control form. It should be properly filled up since this is the basis for determining households with members who are overseas. Only those sample HHs with members overseas shall be given SOF Form 1, that is, those HHs that responded “YES” to the question, “Is there a family member who left for abroad at anytime during the period October 2003 to September 2008” in column 4 of SOF Form 2.
Take note that there may be overseas Filipinos (OF) who were listed as OFs in Column 11 of ISH Form 2 (Labor Force Survey Questionnaire) though their departure may be outside the 5-year reference period since there is no cut-off period for LFS (Labor Force Survey) In this case, list the OF in the control form but do not assign an SOF Form 1. Put the necessary remarks in SOF Form 2. Give particular attention also to previous OFs who went abroad anytime in October 2003 to September 2008 and are now regular members of the HH (with code “5” in Column 11 of ISH Form 2). They should be reported in SOF Form 2 and be assigned an SOF Form 1.
SOF Form 1 is a two-page questionnaire designed to gather data on the number and socioeconomic characteristics of overseas Filipinos and their remittances.
Each sample HH of the ISH with family members who left for abroad during the reference period should be given one (1) SOF questionnaire. SOF Form 1 allows the
recording of answers for only one person in the sample HH. In cases where there are more than one family member who left abroad, additional questionnaire/s are needed, thereby asking the same set of questions for each person who left for abroad.
The entries for the marital status and highest grade completed may not be consistent with the entries in ISH Form 2 since these refer to the status of the person at the time of departure. Note that the entry in the highest grade completed in LFS should be equal or higher than that
reported in SOF.
Sof Forms 1 and 2 are provided as external resources.
Take note that there may be overseas Filipinos (OF) who were listed as OFs in Column 11 of ISH Form 2 (Labor Force Survey Questionnaire) though their departure may be outside the 5-year reference period since there is no cut-off period for LFS (Labor Force Survey) In this case, list the OF in the control form but do not assign an SOF Form 1. Put the necessary remarks in SOF Form 2. Give particular attention also to previous OFs who went abroad anytime in October 2003 to September 2008 and are now regular members of the HH (with code “5” in Column 11 of ISH Form 2). They should be reported in SOF Form 2 and be assigned an SOF Form 1.
SOF Form 1 is a two-page questionnaire designed to gather data on the number and socioeconomic characteristics of overseas Filipinos and their remittances.
Each sample HH of the ISH with family members who left for abroad during the reference period should be given one (1) SOF questionnaire. SOF Form 1 allows the
recording of answers for only one person in the sample HH. In cases where there are more than one family member who left abroad, additional questionnaire/s are needed, thereby asking the same set of questions for each person who left for abroad.
The entries for the marital status and highest grade completed may not be consistent with the entries in ISH Form 2 since these refer to the status of the person at the time of departure. Note that the entry in the highest grade completed in LFS should be equal or higher than that
reported in SOF.
Sof Forms 1 and 2 are provided as external resources.
Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation |
---|---|---|
National Statistics Office | NSO |
Data Processing
Prior to the submission of questionnaires to the Central Office, It is the responsibility of each interviewer to review each questionnaire when the interview is finished. The review must be done before leaving the HH to make sure that all answers are clear, legible and complete. Also check that skipping instructions are correctly followed.
Manual processing was done at the Central Office. This process includes the folioing of the questionnaires, completeness and consistency checking of the responses, editing and coding of responses. This is done prior to machine processing.
Manual processing was done at the Central Office. This process includes the folioing of the questionnaires, completeness and consistency checking of the responses, editing and coding of responses. This is done prior to machine processing.
Data Appraisal
Please visit the NSO Website for the press and special release of the 2008 Survey on Overseas Filipinos. (http://www.census.gov.ph)
Data access
Name | Affiliation | URI | |
---|---|---|---|
Income and Emplyment Statistics Division | National Statistics Office | iesd.staff@census.gov.ph | |
Databank and Information Systems Division | National Statistics Office | info@census.gov.ph |
Authorization to use this data is granted only to the client or data user and persons within its organization, if applicable. Under no circumstances shall the client reproduce, distribute, sell or lend the entire data or parts thereof to any other data user apart from himself or that of authorized employees in his organization. The National Statistics Office shall hold the data user fully responsible for safeguarding the data from any unauthorized access or use.
Any report, paper or similar articles, whether published or not, emanating from the use of this data shall give appropriate acknowledgement as suggested herein, “2008 Survey on Overseas Filipinos, National Statistics Office, Philippines,” as the source of basic data. The data user or client is encouraged to provide the NSO with a copy of such report, paper or article. It is understood that unless expressly allowed by the client, such report, paper or article shall not be used for any purpose other than monitoring.
Disclaimer and copyrights
The National Statistics Office (NSO) gives no warranty that the data are free from errors. Hence, the NSO shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage as a result of the client's manipulation or tabulation of the data
The data user acknowledges that any available intellectual property rights, including copyright in the data are owned by the Philippines National Statistics Office.
contacts
Name | Affiliation | URI | |
---|---|---|---|
Chief, Income and Employment Statistics Division | National Statistics Office | iesd.staff@census.gov.ph | |
Chief, Databank and Information Systems Division | National Statistics Office | info@census.gov.ph |