08-09 October 2024 – QUEZON CITY. Recognizing the vital role of the Regional Statistics Committee (RSC) as the policymaking body on statistical matters in the region, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted the 9th RSC Summit. This year’s Summit was held during the 35th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration and thus adopted the theme, “Advancing Local Data and Statistics Through Digital Transformation: A Road to Empowered Regions.”

A total of 181 participants representing national and regional line agencies attended the two-day Summit, with 121 participating onsite and 60 joining online. These included RSC Chairs and Vice-Chairs, PSA Board member agencies and representatives, PSA officials and personnel, and other RSC member agencies.

The first day of the Summit was jampacked with presentations related to its theme which included the following topics:

a) e-LGU System by Ms. Rene Jane R. Buena of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

b) Online Monitoring of LGU Compliance on Ease of Doing Business by Ms. Ma. Aimee C. Benigno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government

c) Move in, Move Out: Tracking Population Movement Towards Inclusive Development by Deputy Executive Director Lolito R. Tacardon of the Commission on Population and Development

d) DICT-National Computer Emergency Response Team Frontline Services by Mr. Zairo Shin F. Maniacop of the DICT

e) National Privacy Commission (NPC) Circular 2023-06 by Mr. Jonathan Rudolph Y. Ragsag of the NPC

f) National ID: A Digital Platform by Mr. Paul Leo R. Asilo of the PSA

g) Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute’s (PSRTI’s) Proposal for Enhancing the Statistical Capacity of the Philippine Statistical System by Ms. Maria Praxedes R. Peña of the PSRTI, and

h) Formulation of Regional Statistical Development Program 2023-2029: The Caraga Experience by Officer-in-Charge Regional Director (OIC-RD) Guillermo M. Lipio, Jr. of PSA Caraga.

On the second day of the Summit, statistical innovations and digital transformation initiatives of the regions were shared by Mr. Schweizer Joenz M. Severo of DICT VI, RD Maqtahar L. Manulon of PSA XII, and Ms. Leanabai M. Sakal of Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority. These were followed by presentations on Updates on RSC Issues and RSC Policy Agenda for 2025 which were presented by Ms. Willi Krizzia May O. Estremera and Ms. Lotis I. Ira of the PSA Central Office, respectively.

After the presentations, the RSC webpage was launched. This webpage, which can be accessed at psa.gov.ph/regional-statistics-committee, contains the legal bases, map with link to RSC pages, RSC Summit reports and press releases, winners of Best RSC Awards, and contact details of PSA Central Office focal staff. RSCs are encouraged to create own pages with the following minimum required contents: a) RSC composition; (b) RSC resolutions; (c) RSC-initiated activities; and (d) contact information of RSC Secretariat.

One of the highlights of the Summit was the most awaited Best RSC Awards for 2024 which recognized the top five RSCs that excelled in the performance of their functions from the third quarter of 2023 to second quarter of 2024. A Breakthrough Award for the RSC which showed remarkable achievement and progress as policymaking body on regional statistical matters was also given. Awarded by PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, and OIC-Deputy National Statistician Minerva Eloisa P. Esquivias, RSC Cagayan Valley was named first placer followed by RSC CALABARZON, RSC Cordillera Administrative Region, RSC Central Luzon, which also bagged the Breakthrough RSC Award for 2024, and RSC Western Visayas.

Concluding the Summit, Usec. Mapa expressed his gratitude to the participants and partners in the regions for supporting the activities of the RSCs. He also congratulated the winners of the Best RSC Awards and provided updates on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) monitoring and poverty statistics as a response to the comment during the open forum.

For more information on the 9th RSC Summit, please contact the Statistical Policies and Programs Division of the Standards Service with telephone number (02) 8376-1928, and e-mail addresses rsc@psa.gov.ph and sppd.staff@psa.gov.ph.

- Standards Service, Censuses and Technical Coordination Office