The Philippine Statistical System (PSS) just witnessed the smooth and successful conduct of the 30th National Statistics Month (NSM) and 14th National Convention on Statistics (NCS). Organized by the PSS and spearheaded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the 30th NSM and 14th NCS kicked off with a joint opening ceremony on 01 October 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City.
This year, the 30th NSM and 14th NCS carried the theme “Data Innovation: Key to a Better Nation,” which aims to emphasize the importance of data innovation in coming up with quality statistics that will serve as sound bases for reliable decisions and effective policies geared towards leading Filipinos to have a sustainable and comfortable life.
The joint opening ceremony was formally opened by Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa of the PSA. In his welcome remarks, he underscored that the PSA, along with other PSS member agencies, has already undertaken programs and activities which make use of new and innovative ways to keep pace with the increasing demands and challenges of a growing data ecosystem.
Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) highlighted in her inspirational message that data, being the building block of knowledge, is vital in the attainment of the AmBisyon Natin 2040.
The joint opening ceremony was made even more special with the presence of the Vice President of the Philippines, The Honorable Maria Leonor G. Robredo. In her keynote speech, she emphasized that statisticians are very crucial in policymaking and development planning of the government and that data is the lifeblood of decision-making.
Another highlight of the joint opening ceremony was the announcement of the winner of the NSM jingle-making contest. Celebrating a milestone, the PSA launched the NSM jingle, “Estadistika: Daan sa Kaunlaran” by Mr. Richard Samulde, who won a cash prize and plaque of recognition.
Winners of the 9th NSM Media Awards were also announced during the joint opening ceremony. The NSM Media Awards aims to recognize individuals and organizations in the media for their significant role and contribution in promoting and popularizing official statistics from the PSS through news and features.
The winners of the 9th NSM Media Awards are as follows:
• Best Statistical Reporting in Print Media
Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas (Business Mirror)
• Best Statistical Reporting in Online Media
Brenda Barrientos-Vallarta (GMA News Online)
• Best Statistical Reporting in TV Broadcast Media
ABS-CBN News Channel
• Best Media Advocate for Statistics
Business World
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian also graced the event as speaker in the first plenary session of the 14th NCS. Acknowledging the importance of the community-based monitoring system (CBMS) in planning, program implementation, and impact monitoring at the local level, he vowed to help the PSA in setting up the system.
In line with the 30th NSM celebration, the PSS conducted various interagency activities at the national level, including the 4th PSA Says, 3rd PSS Bowling Tournament, 2nd PSS Outreach Program, and the first ever PSS Clean-up Drive.
The 4th PSA Says, which was patterned after the gameshow “Family Feud,” showcased the importance of utilizing statistics through its questions lifted from various PSA censuses and surveys. Four (4) teams composed of different agencies participated in the PSA Says. The team comprising of representatives from the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Local Government Unit (LGU) – Iloilo, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Pangasinan State University won 1st place and received a cash prize.
The 3rd PSS Bowling Tournament, which aims to foster camaraderie among PSS member agencies, was held on 15 October at the SM Megamall Bowling Center and was participated in by nine (9) member agencies of the 30th NSM Steering Committee. The DENR emerged as the Champion.
The PSA, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), spearheaded the conduct of the 2nd PSS Outreach Program at the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Brgy. Sto. Cristo, Bago Bantay, Quezon City, on 17 October. Various government agencies contributed cash and in-kind donations which were endorsed to the RSCC by the PSA. Seven (7) member agencies of the 30th NSM Steering Committee attended the program.
To promote environmental awareness among its member agencies, the PSS held its 1st PSS Clean-up Drive on 25 October at the Baseco Beach, Port Area, Manila. Organized by the PSA and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the clean-up drive was participated in by 15 agencies.
The 30th NSM Closing Ceremony was held on 29 October at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assembly Hall, BSP Complex, Manila and was highlighted by the 2019 BSP-DepEd Oratorical Contest which adopted the 30th NSM theme.
Among the 16 high school students who participated in the contest, the winners of the 2019 BSP-DepEd Oratorical Contest, who each received a plaque and cash prize, were:
• 1st Place: Mr. Shawn Kelly B. Lizardo
Augustinian Abbey School, Division of Las Piñas
• 2nd Place: Mr. Paul Resty V. Arcega
Rizal High School, Division of Pasig
• 3rd Place: Ms. Sofia Marie G. Marquito
Navotas National High School, Division of Navotas
The Closing Ceremony also served as venue for the presentation of the 29th NSM Awards. The NSM Awards are given in recognition of outstanding participation of agencies and regional offices, LGUs, youth organizations and the private sector in the NSM celebration.
The 29th NSM Awards were given to individual winners in four (4) categories. Awarded with a plaque and cash prize each by PSA Assistant Secretary Rosalinda P. Bautista and BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr., the winners are:
• Best Statistical Activity conducted by a Government Organization
Statistics on Air: A Radio Hosting Competition by the DWLC – Radyo Pilipinas Lucena
• Best NSM Region
Region VI (Western Visayas)
• Best Youth Group Advocate for Statistics
University of the Philippines Variates
• Best LGU Advocate for Statistics
Provincial Government of Iloilo
On behalf of the PSS, the PSA expresses its gratitude to all government agencies, LGUs, academic institutions, state universities and colleges, private sector, and the media at the national and local levels who actively participated in and supported the 14th NCS and the 30th NSM activities.
CLAIRE DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General
