The Regional Statistics Committee (RSC-CAR) concluded the celebration of the 33rd National Statistics Month (NSM) which highlighted the second Regional Quiz Bee held last October 27, 2022 in Baguio City. Ms. Kathleen D. Loste of the NEDA-CAR Policy Formulation and Planning Division (PFPD) placed second.
Ms. Blessie M. Cesario of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR) and Mr. Han B. Bonoy of the Benguet State University (BSU) placed first and third, respectively. Ms. Cesario as the champion will represent the region in the national Quiz Bee which will be held later this year by the central office of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The winners were joined by six contestants from the members of the RSC namely, the North Luzon Regional Office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the regional offices of the POPCOM, DOH, DTI, CHED, and DOLE.
RSC Chair and Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling of NEDA, emphasizing the importance of better statistics in the region’s recovery, said in her opening statement as read by Ms. Marissa M. Cabato of the Development Research Division, “With better policies, we are confident to achieve our targets through strategies of inclusive growth, participatory, and sustainable development, among others. Currently, we remain on track with our vision of achieving Ambisyon Natin 2040, bearing in mind President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Jr.’s 8-point socio-economic agenda.”
Director Noel Neil Malimban of the BSP-NLRO, in his keynote message, reiterated the importance of continuing partnership with the PSA, NEDA, and other RSC members in gathering better data and statistics that are vital in crafting responsive policies, programs, and projects toward recovery from the COVID–19 pandemic.
Director Malimban assured that BSP will continue to remain resolute in its stance and actions, guided by evidence-based data, in performing its mandates, especially in safeguarding economic recovery, controlling inflation, and making sure that prices remain stable.
In her closing message, PSA Regional Director Villafe Alibuyog said, “The essential character of CAR as a region is the strong partnership between the government agencies and offices, and the private sector in the different projects and programs, especially those that address the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic. These were best crafted with the reliable statistics provided by data source agencies and organizations. Thus, we emphasize once again that the government agencies and the private sectors provide and produce accurate data, and make informed decisions out of relevant available information.”
The annual NSM celebration is led by the RSC through the PSA as Vice-Chair in collaboration with its members. The BSP hosted the closing ceremony which was attended by the members of the RSC and the media. By Jose V. Costales, Jr.