15 FEBRUARY 2023 – QUEZON CITY. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Board kicked off its 2023 undertakings in an onsite meeting conducted at the agency’s Central Office in Centris Cyberpod 5, EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

The 33rd meeting of the PSA Board was chaired by Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Acting Director Mary Joy de Leon represented the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Vice Chair, while Undersecretary Dennis Mapa led the PSA Board Secretariat.

The PSA Board's policy agenda for the year was presented during this quarter's meeting, which focused on a number of topics from the Inter-Agency Statistical Committees that the Board must approve, endorse, or implement. The Board also covered a variety of other important issues related to the implementation of PSA's surveys and censuses, including sampling designs, techniques, criteria, and other pertinent issues.

During the meeting, the Board authorized the creation of the Steering Committee and Sectoral Working Groups for the development of the Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP) 2023-2029, which comprises different National Government Agencies (NGAs). In addition, it has adopted and approved the refined list of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Indicators, for monitoring purposes in the country.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF), a key government initiative that intends to collect and synthesize vital data on the agricultural and fisheries sectors in the Philippines, will be carried out by the agency. To gather the support from various stakeholders for the overall success of the activity, the PSA Board approved the resolution enjoining the assistance of all NGAs. In response, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a circular directing officials to convene the Census Coordinating Boards, so that they can aid in the census operations.

Furthermore, the Board has also given the green light to PSA’s proposal for a 2023 geo-enabled Master Sample design. This updated design will incorporate the latest information and improve implicit stratification variables, resulting in more accurate and reliable statistics.

- Planning and Management Service, Office of the National Statistician