WHEREAS, one of the major functions of the RSCC is to institute measures to strengthen the statistical capability in the regions by resolving problems and issues peculiar to the area,  and by setting priority on the statistical activities;

WHEREAS,  since Region 1 is an agricultural region, there is an optimum need to continue addressing  issues on agriculture statistics to ensure the availability of reliable and accurate agriculture statistics which could be used by policy makers and program managers in the  formulation of  relevant policies and programs to address the region’s needs;

 WHEREAS, an agricultural forum was conducted in the region on October 26, 2005 as part of celebration of the NSM with reps from DA, BFAR, NEDA, NSO and Provl Agriculturists as participants  for the purpose of  reevaluating issues on agricultural statistics;

WHEREAS, one of the issues raised is the absence of official agricultural statistics with municipal disaggregation;

WHEREAS, it was noted that the existing methodology and resources of BAS which is mandated to collect, compile and officially release agricultural statistics could only generate data with regional and provincial disaggregation;

WHEREAS, the LGUs are generating agricultural data with municipal disaggregation  but these have some limitations and are not comparable with the official data being released  by BAS due to the use of different concepts and methodologies;  

WHEREAS,  the generation of acceptable local level agriculture data could be addressed by the conduct of a  survey  at the local level  using standard statistical concepts and methodologies;

WHEREAS,  it was recommended during the forum that DA, as the main user of agriculture statistics,  should allocate funds for the generation of municipal level data by the BAS, one of its attached agencies,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, to request the Department of Agriculture (DA)  to earmark funds for the generation of municipal level agricultural statistics by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

APPROVED this 26^th day of October, 2005 in San Fernando City, La Union.