Statistics, both its practical and theoretical aspects, is given prominence during the month of October as the country observe the National Statistics Month (NSM).  This is  pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October Every Year as the National Statistics Month.”  The month-long observance in October 2002 is the 13^th year of the NSM.

 The observance of the NSM aims to promote, enhance, and  instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society.  It further aims to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country. 

Every observance of the NSM has a theme with this year focusing on “Responsive Statistics for Good Governance.”  Recently, Memorandum Circular No. 01-02(NSM) was issued by the NSCB enjoining all agencies of the government at the national and national levels and the private sector to actively participate and support the celebration of the 13^th NSM in October 2002.  For this year’s celebration, the hosts of the opening and closing ceremonies of the NSM are the National Statistics Office and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), respectively.   The closing ceremonies will be held during the Oratorical Contest for Students sponsored annually by the BSP. 

The NSCB, the overall coordinator the NSM, has also created the NSM Steering Committee to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the various activities and programs to be undertaken during the month-long celebration.  The Committee is chaired by the NSCB Secretary General and the NSO Administrator as Co-Chair.  The composition  of the Committee consists of representatives from the major statistical agencies, government departments and agencies, academic institutions and the private sector.

Meanwhile, the NSM Steering Committee also created two sub-committees, namely:  (1) the Sub-Committee on Programs and Publicity, and (2) the Sub-Committee on Logistics and Arrangements.  The Programs and Publicity Sub-Committee shall prepare the calendar of activities, coordinate with the hosts of the opening and closing ceremonies and undertake publicity and information campaign.  On the other hand,  the Sub-Committee on Logistics and Arrangements is responsible for the solicitation of funds and provision of support services during the entire month’s celebration. 

Call for activities to be undertaken by cooperating agencies is now open using NSM Form 1 which can be submitted by email.  Programmed activities at the subnational level should be submitted to their respective Regional Statistical Coordination Committees. Activities may be in the form of symposia, workshops, orientation seminars, exhibits, slide shows, and publication of statistical reports, indicators and other relevant information.  

For further inquiries, the NSM Secretariat can be reached at: Telephone Number: 890-9404, Telefax Number: 895-2436, Address 2^nd Floor, Midland Buendia Bldg., 403 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City.  Attention: Ms. Leticia D. de Leon/Ms. Cynthia S. Regalado or Mr. Arnel B. Maaliw/Ms. Dolly M. Pillas.