The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), held the 1st Philippine Statistical System (PSS) Outreach Program as part of the 29th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration. Member agencies of the 29th NSM Steering Committee visited the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and other Special Cases (GRACES) in Brgy Sto. Cristo, Bago Bantay, Quezon City on 25 October 2018.
GRACES is a residential care facility managed by the DSWD National Capital Region which provides care to citizens aged 60 and above, who are abandoned, neglected and needy.
The Outreach Program aims to:
- promote camaraderie and teamwork among PSS members and inspire social awareness
- provide an opportunity to strengthen the bond among PSS members in the context of social awareness and accountability
- serve as venue for the PSS member agencies to provide assistance to the marginalized sectors of society
Assistant National Statistician (ANS) Candido J. Astrologo, Jr., in his Opening Remarks, stated that the elderlies at home, in the office and in institutions like GRACES must be cherished, helped and given attention and love. Ms. Maridol R. Licerio, the Center Head, welcomed the representative-delegates from the different member agencies of the 29th NSM Steering Committees.
Delegates from the DSWD, Senate Economic Planning Office, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Transportation, Presidential Communications Operations Office and PSA participated in the activity and distributed packed meals to the clientele of the Center. The PSA WeIRD Band provided live musical entertainment to the elderly.
Towards the end of the program, ANS Astrologo endorsed the cash and in-kind donations from different PSS member agencies to Ms. Licerio. A total of One Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Pesos (P124,000.00) in voluntary cash donations has been raised for the benefit of the GRACES. Other PSS member agencies are still expressing interest to give/deliver additional donations for GRACES.
On behalf of the PSS, the PSA thanks all government agencies, public and private institutions, state universities and colleges, private sector, and the media at the national and local levels who actively participated and supported this advocacy of social awareness and accountability.
PSA hopes to sustain and strengthen this partnership of social responsibility for many more years of NSM celebration, for the benefit of those in dire need of help in our society.
LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General
See more at the 29th National Statistics Month (NSM) page.