RSC VI prepares for 35th National Statistics Month

The Regional Statistics Committee VI (RSC VI) held its 1st General Assembly Meeting (GAM) and 3rd Quarter RSC Meeting on August 13, 2024, at the Jalaur Conference Room in the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region VI office in Iloilo City.

The meetings were part of the region’s preparations for the upcoming 35th National Statistics Month (NSM) in October 2024, following the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Memorandum Circular No. 2024-12, which calls for active participation from various sectors.

The assembly, chaired by NEDA VI Regional Director Engr. Arecio Casing Jr., and co-chaired by PSA OIC-Regional Director, saw the participation of 65 representatives from Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), academic institutions, state universities and colleges, and the private sector.

The main focus of the meeting was the preparation for the 35th NSM, themed “Advancing Data and Statistics Through Digital Transformation: A Road to an Empowered Nation.”

This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of modernizing the statistical system by leveraging digital tools to enhance the accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of data, which is crucial for informed decision-making in economic and social development.

Key agenda items during the 1st GAM included planning for the 35th NSM, updates on contributions and funds, preparations at the provincial level, and finalizing the regional calendar of activities for Western Visayas.

In the afternoon session, the RSC VI conducted its 3rd Quarter Meeting, where discussions centered around the challenges in compiling the 2024 Regional Social and Economic Trends (RSET), the status of the Census of Population and Community-Based Monitoring System (POPCEN-CBMS), and other ongoing statistical activities.

One of the significant outcomes of the meeting was the approval of three key resolutions: the endorsement of the 35th NSM regional calendar of activities, a call for LGU support for the PSA-LGU Data Sharing for the Business Register Project, and a request for timely data submission from RLAs, LGUs, and selected private sectors to estimate water flow accounts and compile environmental statistics.

The RSC VI’s proactive approach to the 35th NSM underscores the region’s commitment to advancing statistical literacy and data-driven governance, which is essential for fostering an empowered and informed society.