The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) marked a significant milestone with the City of Sipalay as the local-level data through the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) was officially handed over to the city government last 13 April 2023 at the Sipalay City Hall, Negros Occidental.

This ceremonial event was graced by the following notable guests including PSA Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, Ph.D., PSA Assistant National Statistician (ANS) of the Community-Based Statistics Service Kristine Joy S. Briones, PSA Regional Statistical Services Office VI Officer-in-Charge Nelida C. Amolar, Sipalay City Mayor Honorable Maria Gina M. Lizares, Liga ng mga Barangay President Honorable Elir D. Bores, and Sipalay City Provincial Development Officer Architect John M. Lim.

Having community-level data is significant as this may be used as a basis for crafting development programs and interventions at both the local and national levels. The CBMS data is seen as beneficial in Sipalay City’s target in pursuing Sustainable GAINS (Goals in 2025 in Advancement, Innovation and Inclusivity, Nutrition, and Safety and Security). This prioritizes the programs that focus on economic, environmental, educational, social, and efficient actions for nutrition, health, agriculture, and innovations in the systems and services that will promote better welfare in the Sipalaynons among others.

Sipalay City of Negros Occidental is one of the pilot areas of the PSA-led CBMS conducted in 2021 and was able to collect information from over 93% of its individuals, this covers 17,376 household respondents, which is equivalent to 68,079 individuals. Among the collected data from the households are the basic services such as electricity, internet, water, toilet facilities, safety, food insecurity, disaster preparedness, and others, which complements and suits to the city’s developmental goal.

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

- Community-Based Statistics Service, Censuses and Technical Coordination Office