06 March 2024 – QUEZON CITY. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted the Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP) 2023-2029 National Dissemination Forum. It was attended by 154 participants from various government agencies, international development partners, private organizations, private consultants, and other stakeholders.
PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General delivered the Welcome Remarks where he discussed how the PSDP was formulated to support the data requirements for the monitoring of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and to track the country’s progress. With the emerging demands in the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) for more relevant and priority statistical programs, he stressed the need for the implementing agencies to continually work together and to share expertise and ideas to implement the statistical development programs (SDPs) effectively and efficiently. To effectively track the progress of the PSDP, the PSA is tasked to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the SDPs, in coordination with the implementing agencies through the various statistical committees. He also emphasized that the commitment of the PSS in implementing the statistical development programs provides a lot of promise and hope in paving the way towards better quality of life for every Filipino.
The highlights of the PSDP 2023-2029, presented by PSA OIC-Deputy National Statistician Minerva Eloisa P. Esquivias, include SDPs and activities lined up for the program period. There are 432 SDPs which support the following goals:
1. Accurate, relevant, timely, and accessible statistics for evidence-based decisions and policies
2. Increased awareness, understanding, appreciation, utilization, and trust of the general public on statistics
3. Technologically advanced data production and generation
4. Available and accessible more granular data
5. Increased utilization of non-traditional sources of data.
She also presented developmental SDPs related to the following which are aimed at improving the quality of statistics as well as to meet emerging statistical concerns and demands:
1. Frameworks, indicator systems and methodologies
2. Surveys and censuses
3. Capacity development
4. Use of ICT in statistical processes
5. Partnership and international cooperation
6. Management and coordination
7. Advocacy, communication, and user engagement
8. Administrative data and administers
9. Standards and classification systems
A panel discussion featuring Undersecretary Mapa (PSA), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director Nieva T. Natural, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, and Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI) Executive Director Josefina V. Almeda as panelists followed, with Philippine Statistical Association, Inc. (PSAI) Vice President Romeo S. Recide as moderator. The panel discussion highlighted the important role of the PSDP and of the implementing agencies and development partners in achieving the goals of the PSS and in responding to statistical concerns at the global, national, and subnational levels. The role of digitalization and of research and training in the implementation of the SDPs was also emphasized.
To manifest the commitment to the implementation of the PSDP, all participants signed the Pledge of Commitment to the PSDP 2023-2029 led by Undersecretary Mapa (PSA). The pledge enjoins implementing agencies and partners to:
1. Carry out the SDPs which are essential for the continuous provision of vital information in support to national, sectoral, and local development planning and international commitments
2. Consistently coordinate, communicate, and collaborate, as well as ensure investment for the accomplishment of the SDPs
3. Submit reports for use in the timely and proper monitoring and evaluation of the PSDP
4. Support the PSDP implementation through technical and/or financial assistance that will capacitate the PSS agencies
5. Promote the PSDP 2023-2029 and continue to advocate for the awareness of the importance and usefulness of statistics that the PSS produce.
PSA DNS Divina Gracia L. Del Prado delivered the Closing Remarks where she mentioned that the forum is just a step in achieving the statistics culture that we envision for our country. She added that the constraints and challenges that may emerge in the process of implementation of statistical development programs will be overcome with constant support and collaboration among members of the PSS.
For further information, please contact the Statistical Policies and Programs Division of the Standards Service with email address sppd.staff@psa.gov.ph.
-Standards Service, Censuses and Technical Coordination Office
