NEDA-CAR JOINS THYE OPENING SALVO OF STATISTICS MONTH

October 15, 2022 Community Billboard

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) joined the region in celebrating the 33rd National Statistics Month (NSM) during the opening program on October 7, 2022 held in Baguio City. Said
event was hosted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) with the theme, Boosting the Country’s Recovery with Informed Decisions, Better Policies. Ms. Gina V. De Guzman, Sr. Statistical Specialist of PSA, reiterated the significance of the event saying, “We cannot discount the fact that despite the ill effects of the pandemic, it nevertheless opened new opportunities for us.

For example, among the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the majority of them have capitalized on using the digital platforms. This remains popular and still emerging two years later.” In her message, Assistant Regional Dir. Stephanie F. Christiansen of NEDA-CAR said, “I close this opening program with a prayer that each one of us finds meaning in the numbers by asking a relevant question. What do these statistics mean to what I do as an agency, as a local government unit, as a civil society organization, even as a citizen of this nation? Only when each one of us takes responsibility and is informed by statistics we can be better advocates and practitioners for evidence-based decision making.

Only then, too, can we have the confidence to translate our statistics-based insights into action.” The event highlights the presentation of Chief Statistical Specialist Aldrin Federico Bahit, Jr. on the 2021 full-year poverty statistics of the Cordillera compared with the national performance. Other features of the event
include the NSM jingle dance and the statistical exhibit on the region’s Tourism Satellite Accounts, Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) vegetable production, and 2020 Population Census.

The annual celebration mainly aims to demonstrate the role of quality statistics in crafting better-informed policies, evidence-based decision-making, and formulating initiatives for inclusive socioeconomic recovery pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647. The month-long celebration in the region is spearheaded by the Regional Statistics Committee (RSC). Dir. Susan A. Sumbeling of NEDACAR serves as the Committee Chair with Dir. Villafe Alibuyog of PSA-CAR as Vice- Chairperson.