RSCC I Resolution No. 02, s.2007

REQUESTING THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RDC) I EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO ENDORSE TO THE NATIONAL STATISTICAL COORDINATION BOARD (NSCB) EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR THE LATTER TO REQUEST THE NATIONAL
STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SAMPLES PER PROVINCE IN THE SURVEY
 OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS (SOF) IN ORDER TO GENERATE PROVINCIAL DATA ON OFW REMITTANCES

WHEREAS, overseas employment performs a major role in our country by reducing unemployment rate and significantly contributing to our economy thru the foreign exchange remittances of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs);

WHEREAS, there is a need to monitor overseas employment, which had been increasing for the past decades, to determine its impact to the labor market and economy, particularly in the region and the provinces;

WHEREAS, accurate information on overseas workers will enable concerned entities to formulate sound policies and programs for the protection and welfare of OFWs and their families;

WHEREAS, the need for data on OFWs was emphasized during the 4^th regular RSCC meeting last December 13, 2006 since these data serve as vital inputs to regional planning, decision-making and policy-formulation activities;

WHEREAS, the greater demand for OFW remittances data was further stressed during the 1^st regular RSCC meeting last April 26, 2007 since the OFWs can be tapped as vital sources of development in the region because of their remittances that may be used for production and livelihood in the community;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) were also asked to generate OFWs data through their administrative forms, except for OFW remittances data which is unavailable from their admin forms, as per RSCC Resolution No. 20, s. 2006;

WHEREAS, the National Statistics Office generates annual data on overseas employment, including OFW remittances, through its yearly conduct of the Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF) but the data are disaggregated up to the regional level only; 

WHEREAS, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which generates national data on OFW remittances, was requested through the NSCB Executive Board to generate regional and provincial data on OFW remittances from the reports submitted by local banks, offshore banking units and foreign exchange corporations, as per RSCC Resolution No. 1, s. 2007;

WHEREAS, the NSOs SOF cannot generate provincial data due to the insufficient samples  covered per province;

WHEREAS, the RSCC, being the highest policy-making body on statistical matters in the region, realizes that the need for provincial OFW remittances data does not only apply in Region I but also nationwide and thus needs endorsement at the national level; 

WHEREAS, the RSCC is a support committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC), the highest policy and plan formulating body in the region;

WHEREAS, the RDC  is mandated to coordinate and set directions all efforts that are deemed necessary to promote and sustain socio-economic developments in the region; 

WHEREAS, the NSCB, as the highest policy making and coordinating body on statistical matters in the country, has been mandated to formulate policies on matters relating to government statistical operations;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, to request the RDC Executive Committee to endorse to the NSCB Executive Board for the latter to request the NSO to increase the number of samples per province in the SOF in order to generate provincial data on OFW remittances.

            APPROVED, this 26th day of April 2007 at San Fernando City, La Union.