Manila, 30 August 2002. The National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association announces that preparatory activities for the 2002 Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) is now on with the National Steering Committees and the various working committees having been formed and convened. The PSQ is a countrywide competition among college freshmen, which aims to instill the value of statistics among Filipino youth and to win greater public cooperation in government statistical activities.

"We are announcing the conduct of the 2002 PSQ this early to allow more time for schools to scout for statistical talents and to ensure that their bets are prepared for the competition, " said NSO Administrator and current PSA President Carmelita Ericta.

This is the 11th year that the competition will be conducted since it was first held in September 25, 1992. In this connection, Ericta appeals to past and prospective partners to enhance their support to make the Quiz bigger and better. She also calls on members of the mass media to extend their assistance in drumming up publicity for the PSQ.

Members of this year's National Steering Committee includes Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC) Executive Director and current PSA First Vice-President Gervacio G. Selda, Jr.; Undersecretary Fortunato dela Peña of the Department of Science and Technology; Secretary General Romulo Virola of the National Statistical Coordination Board; Romeo Recide, Director of Bureau of Agricultural Statistics; Manuel Laopao and Teresa Peralta, OIC-Director and Chief Labor and Employment Officer, respectively, from Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics. Also in said committee are the Commission on Higher Education Director Amelia Biglete, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Director Ma. Cyd Tuaño-Amador and Ruben Trinidad, Head of PSA Secretariat.

The provincial eliminations for the 2002 PSQ shall be held on October while the regional championships will follow on the 14th and 15th of November. The national finals will be on 3 December 2002 at the BSP Auditorium, Pasay City. At stake for the national finals are cash and trophy, among others. Last year's winner was Nathanael Hinay a Computer Engineering major at the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology in Tagbilaran City.

For more information about this year's PSQ, please contact the PSQ Secretariat at telephone numbers 713-7074 and 716-0807 or e-mail at PSQ-Secretariat@mail.census.gov.ph.