Data Sources, Limitations and Revisions in this Report

It has to be emphasized that data limitations really do pose constraints on estimating the HDI. Within each component index, there may already be data limitations and one who is estimating the HDI may have more than one way in addressing the constraint. It may be through some modeling techniques, use of proxy indicators, or by using assumptions based on some studies. Other techniques may also exist but the choice of strategy really depends on the estimator.

For this report, the NSCB still used the same methodology used in the 1997 report as described above, except for revisions in the life expectancy and education indices as new data became available. It should also be noted that in 1997, the province of Kalinga-Apayao was split into Kalinga and Apayao. Thus, for 1997 and 2000, separate indices were computed for them. The proceeding discussions elaborate the data sources and data limitations in the computation of the life expectancy, education and income indices for 2000.

A. Life Expectancy

In the previous 1997 report, the life expectancy figures for 1994 and 1997 were estimated using the results of the study of Cabigon and Flieger, 1999. For this report, the life expectancy figures disaggregated by sex were taken from the 1995 Census-Based National, Regional and Provincial Population Projections of the National Statistics Office (NSO) to estimate life expectancy index for 1994, 1997 and 2000. Consequently, the life expectancy index for 1994 and 1997 were revised. For 1994, however, the life expectancy figures used were those of 1995.

The 1994 population was estimated using the computed 1990-1995 annual average growth rate of NSO available at the regional and provincial levels and the household population of the 1995 Census of Population.

On the other hand, the 1997 population was obtained from the 1995 Census-Based Regional and Provincial Population Projections while the 2000 household population was obtained from the 2000 Census of Population. However, since disaggregation by sex of the 2000 Census of Population is not yet available for all provinces, the sex disaggregation structure of the household population in the 1995 Census of Population was used.

B. Education Index

• Functional Literacy Rate

The source of the functional literacy rates used was the Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in 1994. Since then, no updates have been made on the rates. Thus, using the same literacy rates in this report is already a limitation in the estimation. Through the years, with the increase in the enrolment rate in the country, the functional literacy rates may have already improved to some extent. Thus, using the outdated rates there may be source of underestimation in the education index.

• Combined Elementary and Secondary Enrolment Rates

The elementary and secondary enrolment rates were sourced from the Department of Education (DepEd). Due to non-availability of data for the SY 2000-2001, the enrolment figures used in this report are for SY 1999-2000. Thus, this poses another limitation on the computation of the HDI. With the increasing trend present in Philippine enrolment figures, using the SY 1999-2000 data may be a source of underestimation of the education index and consequently, the HDI.

Also, there was the need to revise the 1994 and 1997 education index to reflect SIARGAO, a municipality in Surigao del Norte; and to include Marawi City in Lanao del Sur and Cotabato City in Maguindanao.

C. Income Index

Data used for income was the average per capita income from the 1994, 1997 and 2000 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) conducted every three years by the NSO. This income was deflated using the provincial Consumer Price Index (1994=100) that was also sourced from the NSO.