33rd NSM in Guimaras officially kicks off with PSC CapDev training

The month-long celebration of the 33^rd National Statistics Month (NSM) in Guimaras officially kicked off with a 4-day Capacity Development (CapDev) Training on Data Management and Data-driven Decisions Making held at the Guimaras Mountain Resort, Piña-Daragan, Buenavista, on Oct 4-7, 2022.

The training on Data Management and Data-driven Decisions Making generally aims to enrich knowledge and skills using Microsoft Excel, to have an in-depth understanding of how to create a database system using Microsoft Excel, and enhanced competencies to utilize and maximize Microsoft Excel in data banking/management, analysis, and interpretation.

The 4-day activity was participated by the members of the Provincial Statistics Committee (PSC) of Guimaras with a total of 51 individuals from PSC member agencies.

“One of the major functions of the PSC is to capacitate its members, thus the partnership with the West Visayas State University (WVSU) through their extension program and the PSC-Guimaras was realized last year through a MOA signing for three-year series CapDev training,” Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare said.

“This year’s training is the second in the series which will focus on data banking and data analytics,” Losare added.

Losare also stressed that, aside from participating in the  33^rd NSM online National

Opening Ceremony on October 3 via zoom, Guimaras also lined up various such as Kaathagan sa Estadistika/lecture series; Provincial Data Expo on the 3^rd week of October; Statistical/Research Utilization Forum, E-poster Making Contest for Junior High School students and Infographics making contest for PSC members on the fourth week of October; Gift giving, Tree Planting, Coastal Cleanup, Agency-in-House Activities, and the Closing and Awarding Ceremony.

“Closing and Awarding Ceremony will be on the 28^th of October to acknowledge the support of PSC member agencies and the Private sectors and to award the winners of various contests,” Losare said.

Losare also cited that this year’s celebration is themed “Boosting the Country’s Recovery with informed decisions, Better Policies” which emphasizes the critical role of statistics in crafting the most appropriate decisions and policies that are needed to boost efforts for recovery.

As the country’s recovery continues to take off, the public and private sectors both play important roles by providing and producing the right data, actively participating in economic activities, and making informed decisions out of relevant available information.

“The 33^rd NSM Celebration aligns with Presidential Proclamation No. 647, Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month, the NSM is annually observed nationwide, which aims to promote, enhance, and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of the society,” Losare said

Statistics plays a crucial and significant role in the pursuit of economic recovery. Foremost, in addressing the pandemic, the country’s health planners basically relied on the statistics provided to them.

Statistical trends serve as bases for monitoring progress and strengthening support to agencies and sectors most affected by the pandemic and developing programs that sustain the country’s continuous pursuit of recovery.

The country’s efforts towards recovery jumpstarted with the adoption of strong responsive socio-economic policies based on relevant and accurate statistics.

“Likewise, it aims to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country,” Losare said.

Losare emphasized that the objectives of the month-long celebration will be achieved amidst the COVID-19 pandemic through the successful conduct of the designed calendar of activities via an online platform in collaboration with the PSC member agencies, LGUs, and education institutions.