12 July 2024 - BAGAC, BATAAN. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), represented by Assistant National Statistician (ANS) of the Community-Based Statistics Service (CBSS), Kristine Joy S. Briones, served as a Subject Matter Expert for the Panel Session: Innovate & Integrate: Multi-sectoral Strategies for Next-Level Innovation at the 2nd Local Government Practitioners’ Learning Forum organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

The forum, themed "From Idea to Action: Accelerating Growth Through Local Innovation," brought together alumni of DAP's Local Government Executives and Managers Class (LGEMC) Program, which consists of local chief executives and department heads, who continue to play significant roles in governance and innovation. Serving as a collaborative learning platform, it brought together local government practitioners united by their commitment to enhancing service delivery and tackling the nation's diverse local governance challenges. During the forum, participants delved into devising strategies to initiate, expand, and maintain innovative initiatives both locally and nationally.

ANS Briones presented on data governance, emphasizing the importance and the application of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) in developing innovative strategies for local governments. She illustrated how local governments can utilize the CBMS data to craft effective policies, programs, and projects, providing concrete examples of successful implementations by various local government units (LGUs). Additionally, she highlighted how the CBMS can be used to monitor selected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. The objectives and conduct of the 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) and CBMS were also presented.

During the forum, ANS Briones addressed several inquiries from participants about the data results from the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS. Concluding the session, she and other esteemed experts advised local government executives and managers on innovative solutions for community issues. Her key message resonated: “An effective innovation is one that is evidence-based.”

The PSA’s involvement in this forum underscores its commitment to providing relevant and reliable statistics. By collaborating closely with the LGUs, the PSA aims to support the development of sustainable and innovative solutions at the local level, fostering equitable development and improving the quality of life for all Filipinos through a data-driven approach.

-    Community-Based Statistics Service, Censuses and Technical Coordination Office