RSCC I SETS 2007 POLICY AGENDA

The Regional Statistical Coordination Committee (RSCC) I, the highest policy making and coordinating body on statistical matters in the region, approved its policy agenda for 2007 during its 1^st regular meeting on April 26, 2007. The policy agenda contains the resolutions which the RSCC plans to issue during the year to address statistical problems and issues affecting the region. It also contains the statistical reports and other concerns which will be discussed during the four regular meetings of the Committee. The RSCC policy agenda could be accessed at http://www.nscb.gov.ph/2007 policy agenda.

The other major agenda items discussed during the 1^st regular meeting were: 1) proposed targets and additional indicators for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); 2) 2005-2010 Philippine Statistical Development Program; 3) NSCB resolutions on official concepts and definitions for the poverty and education sectors; 4) 2006-2007 poverty threshold preliminary estimates; 5) Ilocos Norte poverty maps; and 6) Pangasinan best practices on data generation.

The RSCC 1^st regular meeting was conducted at the NEDA Regional Office 1, Conference Room in San Fernando City, La Union through the sponsorship of the DOLE Regional Office 1. The second regular meeting of the Committee is tentatively scheduled on July 17, 2007 with the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA), Inc: Region 1 Chapter as sponsor.

The RSCC is currently composed of 24 members from 8 regional line agencies, 12 provincial and city local government units, 1 NGO (PSA), 2 academe and 1 private sector (La Union Bankers Association). It is chaired by the Regional Director of the NEDA Regional Office 1 and co-chaired by the Regional Director of the NSO Regional Office 1. The NSCB Regional Division 1 serves as the secretariat of the Committee.