PSA trains Negros Occidental LGUs on CBMS data

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Statistics Authority-Negros Occidental successfully conducted a five-day Provincial-Level Training on R Programming and Data Management using the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System Data from April 20 to 24, 2026, at Acacia Hotel in Bacolod City.

The press release was dated April 27, 2026, with Reference No. PR2026-04-1845-66.

The training gathered participants from various cities and municipalities across Negros Occidental.

PSA-Negros Occidental said the activity aimed to improve participants’ skills in data handling and analysis.

The training also sought to equip participants with knowledge and tools to transform raw CBMS data into structured formats suitable for analysis.

The agency said the activity supports the effective use of data for evidence-based decision-making in local government units.

The activity formally opened with a message from Statistical Specialist II Ramon M. Locsin of the Negros Occidental Provincial Statistical Office.

Locsin emphasized the importance of the training and CBMS data to the participants’ respective LGUs.

He also underscored the need for active participation, focus and strong collaboration.

Locsin expressed appreciation for the continued partnership between PSA and the LGUs.

The training covered practical R programming skills, from fundamental syntax to advanced techniques such as data merging.

A key milestone involved participants using their 2024 CBMS data to generate localized statistical tables.

PSA-Negros Occidental said the exercise demonstrated improved analytical proficiency and a commitment to data-driven governance.

The sessions were facilitated by the PSO-Negros Occidental team led by Statistical Specialist II Fredimar M. Gonzales and Information Systems Analyst I Benjie Lee P. Serinas.

The agency said the sessions provided a supportive learning atmosphere where beginners and intermediate users learned to manage, clean and analyze complex datasets independently.

Supervising Statistical Specialist Diesah S. Biaoco delivered the closing message.

Biaoco expressed gratitude to the participants for their dedication to learning R programming.

She also thanked local chief executives who supported the participation of their staff in the training.

Biaoco encouraged continued support for the upcoming 2027 CBMS round.

PSA-Negros Occidental said the training reflects the growing commitment of LGUs to adopt modern tools and data-driven approaches in governance.

The agency said these efforts help ensure that policies and decisions are anchored on accurate and reliable data.