The National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association announce that the national finals for 2009 Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) will be held in Manila on December 4. Prior to the national finals, provincial eliminations for this year's PSQ shall be held in October while the simultaneous conduct of the regional championships nationwide will be on November 12. This is the 18th year that the competition will be conducted since it was first held on September 25, 1992.

The PSQ is an annual competition designed to test freshmen college students' knowledge of statistics as acquired from the secondary education curriculum. It aims to promote, enhance, and instill appreciation on the value of the statistics among Filipino youth. It also seeks to generate greater public awareness on the importance of statistics in development planning and gain better cooperation in government statistical activities.

"We are announcing the conduct of the 2009 PSQ this early to allow more time for schools to scout for statistical talents and to ensure that their bets are prepared for the competition," said NSO Administrator Carmelita Ericta, Chairperson of this year's National Steering Committee.

At stake for the top five winners in the PSQ national finals are cash and trophies, among others. All regional champions will also be awarded during the national finals with a PSQ medal and a certificate of recognition. Their respective coaches, the college or university where they are currently enrolled, as well as the high school where they graduated from will likewise be given certificates of recognition.

The 2008 PSQ National Finals was won by sixteen-year-old Roy Christopher Ang, a Medical Laboratory Science student from the Saint Louis University-Baguio City. Ang, being the 17th PSQ National Champion, was awarded a cash prize of PhP25,000.00 and a specially designed trophy, among others. His coach, Nora Umalla was also given a certificate of recognition and PhP12,500.00 cash reward.

Participants, supporters, and all those interested to know more about this year's competition are invited to contact the PSQ Secretariat either by phone at 716-0734 and 713-7074 or via e-mail at PSQ-Secretariat@mail.census.gov.ph.