Filipinos urged to declare race in UK census

LONDON - As the British government conducts a census for 2011, Filipinos in the country are being encouraged to participate and declare their ethnicity.

The Philippine Embassy in London, together with One Filipino and Philippine Generations, are campaigning for Filipinos in Britain to specify their racial heritage in the ethnicity section of the survey.

“We’re motivating Filipinos in the UK to fill up the census form,” said Rina Atienza from Philippine Generations. “We urge everyone to write either ‘British Filipino’ or just ‘Filipino’ under Other Asian in the ethnicity section. The point of that is to raise awareness of the size and spread of the community, so that we can officially make our presence known.”

“By participating in the census, British Filipinos can help shape their future and be proud of their contributions to an increasingly multicultural Britain. It will improve integration into society, and we can play our part alongside other ethnic communities. By making ourselves recognized, the government could consider us in future policies.”

Held every 10 years in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the UK Census is a national survey that records a snapshot of the population at the beginning of each decade since 1801.

It provides vital information that affects public services on education, health and transportation, as well as government policies on equality, employment, and immigration.

“It’s very important that we put accurate information in these forms,” said Jean Cerbas, a real estate representative from Westminster, and supporter of the campaign.

“Considering the number of Filipinos in the UK and the strong presence of Filipinos in every sector, I think it’s about time that we include the Filipino ethnicity in every application form.”

Zenaida de Leon, a businesswoman from Tottenham, also added: “I’ve written Filipino in the census because I’m proud to be a Filipino. It is important to be recognized in this country.”

The 2011 census will reach approximately 25 million households in the UK, including an estimated 250,000 Filipinos living across the country.

Everyone living in Britain at the time of the survey is strongly advised to participate. A fine may be applicable to those who fail to comply. Completed forms must be submitted online or through the post as soon as possible.