NaFFAA to launch Census community engagement drive

WASHINGTON – More than 100 Filipino American leaders will attend the launch of a census community engagement drive hosted by the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) at the Philippine Center in New York City on Saturday, March 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The event “Kabilang Ka, Pabilang Ka” (You Count, So Be Counted) will feature presentations and discussions on the importance of participation in Census 2020, the ins and outs of filling out census forms, strategies to encourage family and friends to participate, and ways to galvanize community members to spread the word about this once-a-decade initiative.

The program will include a time slot in which attendees actually fill out the Census and will feature a keynote from Jeff Behler, New York regional director of the U.S. Census Bureau.

“Participation in the 2020 Census is critical to the Filipino American community,” said Brendan Flores, NaFFAA president and National Chairman. “We are a vital and growing sector of the American population, but we remain undercounted. By committing to being counted, we are making our voice heard in a way that affirms that we are a growing force in the American landscape, but we also have the potential to change lives.”

“Results of the Census determine the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, how district lines are drawn across government, and how to allocate $675 billion in federal spending. By making sure we, our families, and friends are counted, we are making a strong case for increased funding for local health facilities, increased public transportation options, and better funded schools,” he added.

This event is supported by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), and AT&T, Community Partners include Why We Count by Next Day Better, The Filipino School of New York and New Jersey, the Philippine Community Center Services for the Aging, the Association of Philippine Physicians in America (APPA), JCI Philippine New York  and the Philippine American Foundation for Charities (PAFC).