PSA, RSC launch Nat’l Statistics Month observance

October 5, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) – The 31st observance of National Statistics Month (NSM) with the theme, “Bridging Digital Gaps: Making Information Available to All” kicked off on Wednesday with a simple ceremony led by the Philippine Statistics Authority – Cordillera (PSA – CAR) simultaneous with an online meeting of the Regional Statistics Committee (RSC).
The event was highlighted with the talk by Engr. Rey Parnacio, Department of Information and Communication Technology Luzon Cluster 1 Technical Operations Division Chief, about the NSM theme and some updates on the government ICT initiatives, and presentation of the data collected for the Tourism Satellite Accounts, a PSA – CAR initiated statistical project.
PSA – CAR Regional Director Villafe Alibuyog said this year’s NSM theme is timely and very appropriate in the current situation as it focuses on the importance of technology and digital innovation to continue providing quality statistics that will help policymakers design responsive and evidence-based plans and programs towards recovery of the whole nation and the world in these challenging times.
She called for continuing partnership with RSC members, both in the government and private sector, as well as the support of the general public in the collection of important statistics that can help policy makers design policies and programs especially in response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID – 19) pandemic.
Alibuyog also shared that in coping with the new normal, PSA in the coming years will have alternative census and survey data collection methods such as the Computer Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) that is partially used in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing.
Others in the pipeline include the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI), and Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) that would not require face-to-face contact or interview of respondents.
RSC led agency NEDA – CAR represented by OIC Assistant Regional Director Greg Ariz III said the NSM theme comes very timely as we speak of a more pronounced digital divide in this time of public health emergency or the COVID-19 crisis. It is also fitting as we are moving into a better normal where we are now harnessing the products and exploring the opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution. He also thanked the RSC members for their contributions in advancing the role of statistics in their sectors.
For the scheduled activities for the month – long celebration, PSA – CAR will spearhead a data dissemination on the Regional Compendium on Environment Statistics, (RCES), Environment and Natural Resources Accounting: Compilation of Water Accounts and the Tourism Satellite Accounts, and training on infographics and data visualization. RSC member agencies are also enjoined to participate in forest bathing, garden park tours and creative tours dubbed as “Reintroducing Tourism in the New Normal.
(JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)