By Dr. Rex Casiple
On September 20, 1990, former President Corazon C. Aquino issued Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month”. The proclamation aims to promote, enhance, and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.
The theme of this year’s NSM Celebration is “Boosting the Country’s Recovery with Informed Decisions, Better Policies”. It is noted that in the past two years the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected our economy with the loss of mobility, loss of income, loss of family members and our loved ones, among others. This economic recession resulted to unemployment, public health issues, increase in poverty rate, among others. On the third year, after series of vaccination and booster shots done to the people, the country is on its road to recovery. The people adjusted the new normal scheme of working, schooling and living with the virus despite of being infected. Travel ban was lifted as the country opened its door to foreign visitors. Local and international tourists were allowed to visit the provinces. Face to face classes were allowed to be conducted in all levels of education. Many sectors in the government played key roles to address the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, Statistics plays a crucial and significant role in the pursuit of this economic recovery.
Statistics are bases for policy decisions to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. Evidence-based Statistics guides and supports the nation’s efforts in navigating the pandemic towards socio-economic recovery. They are useful in analyzing the situation and in formulating policies for reforms.
Some of the highlights of activities of this year’s observance of the 33rd NSM, from October 11-27, 2022, are the blended Opening Ceremony on October 11, 2022 hosted by the Philippine Statistics Authority VI; tree planting in Barangay Buhang, Jaro on October 11, 2022 hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; photography contest on October 12, 2022 hosted by the Department of Tourism VI; lecture series on official Statistics on October 13, 18 and 20, 2022 hosted by the Philippine Statistics Authority VI; Statistical Infographics Contest on October 14, 2022 hosted by the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc., Region VI Chapter; Statistical Infomercial Contest on October 17, 2022 hosted by West Visayas State University; Essay Writing Contest for College Students on October 17, 2022 hosted by the Commission on Higher Education; E-Poster Making Contest for High School Students on October 17, 2022 hosted by UP Visayas Statistical Society; Statistiktok for High School students on October 17, 2022 hosted by UP Visayas Statistical Society; Regional Statistics Quiz for high school students on October 26, 2022 hosted by National Economic and Development Authority VI; and Closing and Awarding Ceremonies on October 27, 2022 hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Iloilo Branch .
The Statistical Essay Writing Contest for College Students is a regional competition in essay writing among colleges students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Western Visayas. The main purpose of the contest is to create awareness among college students on the importance and relevance of Statistics in our daily lives.
Finally, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic there are many restrictions in doing face to face activities. Hence most of the contests will be done virtually. All activities will be seen livestream and posted in the facebook page “33rd National Statistics Month-Western Visayas”. The contest schedules and guidelines are likewise posted in the same Facebook page.
