01 October 2024 – LUXENT HOTEL. Spearheaded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the 35th National Statistics Month (NSM) kick-started with the Opening Ceremony hosted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). It was attended by 187 participants from various government agencies, private sector, media, development partners, and members of the academe.

This October 2024, the 35th NSM celebration carries the theme “Advancing Data and Statistics Through Digital Transformation: A Road to an Empowered Nation,” which highlights the efforts in modernizing the statistical system through the adoption of digital tools and platforms to improve the accuracy, timeliness and accessibility of statistics.

DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of statistics in nation-building and the goal of modernizing statistical systems through digital transformation. She highlighted that this year’s theme reflects the aspiration to make data accurate, real-time, and accessible for informed decision-making.

PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, in his message, highlighted the importance of digital transformation in improving statistical systems and the quality of statistics, citing the shift from paper-based to paperless transactions which facilitate efficient delivery of products and services. He emphasized the need for more technological resources and retaining skilled workers to sustain a digital culture.

DICT Undersecretary David L. Almirol, Jr. delivered the Keynote Message on behalf of Secretary Ivan John E. Uy. He mentioned that the DICT is dedicated to making data accessible to all citizens including those in the remote communities, through collaboration with the PSA and other partners. He highlighted that the use of Computer-Aided Personal Interviewing (CAPI) system, for surveys such as National ICT Household Survey and other surveys conducted by the PSA, is set to transform data gathering approach.

Among the highlights of the Opening Ceremony is the audio-visual presentation that featured the past 35 years of NSM celebrations and messages from PSA Undersecretary Mapa, the heads of former major statistical agencies and former PSA Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales, now Executive Director of the Commission on Population and Development.

During the Opening Ceremony, Mapping and Analytics for Planning in ICT (MAP-IT) was also launched. MAP-IT is an innovative initiative designed to support data-driven decision-making and planning in the ICT sector across the Philippines which leverages advanced analytics, Geographic Information System, and comprehensive data sources to provide real-time, accurate view of the ICT landscape, enabling targeted and efficient planning.

The Opening Ceremony was also highlighted by messages from Undersecretary Mary Jean T. Pacheco of the Department of Trade and Industry and Undersecretary Maria Francesca M. Del Rosario of the Department of Budget and Management who both shared their insights on the role that data plays in developing policy driving innovation and promoting sustainable development. Relatedly, presentations on Data-Driven Policy Formulation and Evidence-Based Decision-Making which involves a systematic collection and analysis of data to better understand the needs of the community and allows better tracking of outcomes, and evaluation of initiatives; and Digital National ID which covers National ID Check, authentication services, eVerify, use cases and integrated relying parties, were presented by DICT Director Maria Victoria C. Castro and PSA Assistant National Statistician Emily R. Pagador, respectively.

Another highlight was the announcement of the winner of the STATikTok Informercial Contest: Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) - Port Management Office of Agusan, the Ceremonial Launching of the NSM 35K Virtual Run which signals the start of the run, and the announcement of the 35th NSM Media Awards winners.  

The winners of the 35th NSM Media Awards are Ms. Cristina Eloisa A. Baclig of Inquirer.net, BusinessWorld Research of BusinessWorld Publishing Corp., and Bernadette Reyes of GMA Integrated News.

The Opening Ceremony was formally closed by OIC-Deputy National Statistician Minerva Eloisa P. Esquivias. She thanked the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) for supporting all the endeavors in this month-long celebration. She also invited everyone to the 35th NSM Closing Ceremony which will be hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on 29 October 2024, where winners of the 35th NSM Awards and NSM 35K Virtual Run Top Finishers will be announced.

The 7th PSA Says, a game inspired by the “Family Feud” game show, was held after the NSM Opening Ceremony. It was participated by four teams from the University of the Philippines School of Statistics, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and National Youth Commission.

In this month-long celebration, the PSS invites all government agencies, local government units, academic institutions, state universities and colleges, private sector, and the media, at the national, and local levels to actively participate, and support the 35th NSM activities.

For more information/updates on the 35th NSM, kindly visit the following pages:

• NSM webpage – https://psa.gov.ph/nsm/
• NSM FB page – https://www.facebook.com/NSMPhilippines
• NSM twitter page – https://twitter.com/NSMPhilippines
• NSM TikTok page – https://tiktok.com/@nsmphilippines

- Standards Service, Censuses and Technical Coordination Office