In August 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in partnership with nine city/municipal local government units (LGUs) conducted a series of orientations on the 2021 Pilot Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Barangay Profile Questionnaire (BPQ). A total of 372 barangays were invited to participate and submit their responses online at: https://cbms.psa.gov.ph/.

Republic Act (RA) No. 11315 defines the CBMS as an organized technology-based system of collecting, processing and validating necessary disaggregated data that may be used for planning, program implementation and impact monitoring at the local level while empowering communities to participate in the process.  The objectives of the CBMS are the following

1. to generate updated and disaggregated data necessary for targeting beneficiaries;
2. to conduct more comprehensive poverty analysis and needs prioritization; and
3. to provide information that will enable a system of public spending that warrants government allocation on areas and populace that are most wanting.

The 2021 Pilot CBMS BPQ aims to gather data on the basic profile of the barangays and characteristics such as types of service facilities and establishments present in the barangay.  Data items to be collected through the BPQ include:

1. Physical characteristics of the barangay
2. Presence and geo location of service institutions and infrastructure in the barangay
3. Information and communications technology capacity
4. Significant events in the barangay
5. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management practices, plans and supplies/equipment
6. General information about the barangay LGU personnel
7. Establishments in the barangay
8. Volunteerism in the barangay
9. Peace and order cases reported to the barangay
10. Budget, revenue, and expenditures for Fiscal Year 2018 to 2021
11. Cost and status of barangay LGU projects in the past three years

The said questionnaire is being administered online by the PSA as an effort to explore alternative and technology-based ways of collecting information from its respondents.  Each barangay is given an access code which the authorized barangay personnel can use to fill out the 2021 Pilot CBMS BPQ while connected on the internet.

The series of city/municipal level orientations on the 2021 Pilot CBMS BPQ marked the start of seven training modules to be undertaken by LGUs involved in the implementation of the 2021 Pilot CBMS. Focal persons from the Regional Statistical Services Offices (RSSOs) and Provincial Statistical Offices (PSOs) served as trainers in the orientation. Household interviews in the nine pilot LGUs will run from 04 October to 02 December 2021

The 2021 Pilot CBMS has been cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS).  Thus, all barangay officials in the following LGUs are enjoined to actively participate in the 2021 Pilot CBMS data collection:

1. San Gabriel, La Union
2. Sual, Pangasinan
3. Baguio City
4. Sta. Maria, Isabela
5. Samal, Bataan
6. Sipalay City, Negros Occidental
7. Dauin, Negros Oriental
8. Baybay City, Leyte
9. Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur

Pursuant to RA No. 11315, the PSA serves as the lead implementing agency of the CBMS.  Through the CBMS Council, the PSA works with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to establish policies and plans to achieve the objectives of the CBMS Act.

LGUs covered in the 2021 Pilot CBMS are requested to coordinate closely with their nearest PSA regional or provincial office for assistance in the accomplishment of the 2021 Pilot CBMS BPQ.

For more information and latest announcements on the CBMS, visit the PSA CBMS webpage at www.psa.gov.ph/cbms.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General