18 May 2022 – QUEZON CITY. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the data sharing of livestock and poultry related statistics particularly on the number and source province/s of slaughtered/dressed animals from licensed to operate meat establishments (LTOMEs); volume of raw milk production and other dairy-related data for carabao, cattle and goat; retail prices of pork and dressed broiler chicken; meat, egg and live animal importation; and number of animals slaughtered/dressed from other areas other than slaughterhouse and poultry dressing plants.

Simultaneous with the signing of MOU with DA, the PSA also inked an understanding with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to facilitate data exchange on the number of animals slaughtered/dressed in locally registered meat establishments (LRMEs).

The MOU was signed by Secretary William D. Dar of the DA, Secretary Eduardo M. Año of the DILG and the National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa of PSA on 18 May 2022 in the presence of Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano of the Policy and Planning and Department Legislative Liaison Office (DLLO) of the DA, Undersecretary Marlo L. Iringan of the Local Government of the DILG and Assistant National Statistician Divina Gracia L. Del Prado of the Economic Sector Statistics Service (ESSS) of PSA. The MOU signing was also attended by officials and staffs of DA, DILG and PSA.

This undertaking will play a big contribution in attaining the objective of the PSA to deliver relevant and reliable livestock and poultry statistics through the improvement of data collection procedures and updating of parameters. The MOU will enable regular and timely provision of livestock and poultry-related statistics by and among the agencies which will be used for statistical and planning purposes. It will also facilitate building of a comprehensive database on livestock and poultry indicators that will be used as basis in creating policies, plans and programs for the betterment of the livestock and poultry raisers.

Undersecretary Mapa mentioned that the MOU will not only jumpstart the partnerships between the involved agencies, but it will further improve the data collection procedure of PSA and the quality of livestock and poultry statistics through data sharing and strong coordination among involved agencies. Meanwhile, Undersecretary Adriano emphasized the importance of having a sound and good database to come up with good plans that will guarantee positive results. He also said that the decisions, plans and policies must be based on robust and empirical data. Undersecretary Iringan stated that the involvement of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in this undertaking is imperative since all policies that will be crafted at the national level will eventually be implemented at the LGU level. He also shared that the DILG will help the LGUs champion evidence-based and data-driven local governance.

Visit www.psa.gov.ph for more information and updates about the PSA’s statistical services.

- Economic Sector Statistics Service, Sectoral Statistics Office