The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in collaboration with the municipality government of San Gabriel, La Union, successfully conducted the Data Turnover Ceremony for the 2021 Pilot Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data. The event took place on 09 May 2023 at the Municipal Hall of San Gabriel.

The ceremony was attended by esteemed guests, including the Community-Based Statistics Service Assistant National Statistician Kristine Joy S. Briones, PSA Regional Statistical Services Office Regional Director Atty. Shiela O. De Guzman, PSA La Union Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Danites A. Tiñedo, PhD, Municipal Mayor Lany B. Carbonell,  representatives from the provincial offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government  and the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

Regional Director De Guzman, in her opening remarks, expressed her appreciation to all the stakeholders involved in the CBMS implementation and highlighted the importance of the CBMS in providing a comprehensive and granular data necessary for effective policy making and program development. She acknowledged the efforts made by the region in preparing for the CBMS, including the pretest conducted in Bauang, La Union in 2021. She emphasized that the data turnover ceremony marks the beginning of a fruitful partnership and calls for continued collaboration with the local government units and concerned national government agencies to achieve the goals of the CBMS.

During the ceremony, the municipal government of San Gabriel, La Union showcased an impressive array of plans and programs designed to propel the community forward. The municipality looks forward in using the CBMS data in updating their comprehensive land use plan, comprehensive development plan, and disaster risk reduction and management. Their local data is also seen to be useful in the municipality’s environmental and natural resources management, health and nutrition programs, social welfare and development, and agricultural development among others.

CSS Teñido, in her closing remarks, extended her gratitude to the PSA management for including La Union as one of the provinces during the pilot round. Moreover, she acknowledged and recognized the reliability and flexibility of the municipal government of San Gabriel, the barangay officials and personnel, and household respondents for their full support during the pilot CBMS.

San Gabriel, La Union is one of the pilot areas of the first ever PSA-led CBMS after the ratification of Republic Act No. 11315 or the CBMS Act. More than 18,073 individuals in 4,561 participating households were enumerated in the said area during the pilot round.

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