16th National Statistics Month Launched in CAR

Motorcade

The 16th National Statistics Month celebration in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) kicked-off with a colorful motorcade on October 5, 2005 from Banco de Oro at SM-Baguio. As scheduled, the motorcade started at exactly 8:30 AM. It first went down Session Road, turned right at Bonifacio Road, made a u-turn at the rotunda near St. Louis University (SLU) then snaked back to the central business district to end up at the Baguio City Hall. The motorcade included the following agencies from the Cordillera: Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), National Statistics Office (NSO), National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the Baguio City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the National Nutrition Council (NNC), QUEDANCOR and other DA-attached agencies. SPECTRUM and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) provided traffic management and escort support.

Statistical Exhibit

The formal launching of the 16 th NSM hosted by DA-CAR followed next at the Baguio City Hall. About 50 participants witnessed the affair, which took off with the welcome remarks from the Honorable Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon of Baguio City. Mayor Yaranon underscored the importance of statistics for LGUs and commended the organizers of the NSM exhibit. This was followed by messages from Councilor Pinky Rondez and Assistant Regional Director Jerry Baliang of DA-CAR. Dir. Baliang gave a background on the legal basis and purpose of the NSM and stressed the vital role of statistics in the planning process at DA. Benjie

Navarro, Regional Head of NSCB-CAR then gave an overview of the NSM celebration, commended the NSM-TWG for a job well done and cited the major NSM activities for the region. The various guests led by Mayor Yaranon were then invited to cut the ribbon signifying the formal opening of the NSM Statistical Exhibit and the NSM celebration in CAR.

Kapihan

A Kapihan or press conference then commenced including the following panelists from CAR: ARD Leon Dacanay of (NEDA), RD Olivia Gulla (NSO), ARD Jerry Baliang (DA), RASO Juanito Yabes (BAS), Benjie Navarro (NSCB) and representatives from other DA-attached agencies.

ARD Baliang again stressed the importance of statistics in DA. Dir. Baliang also shared the schedule of the various NSM activities scheduled for October 2005. ARD Dacanay discussed the legal basis of the NSM and elaborated on the competitive advantage of CAR as a Greens and Ornamental Grocer under the Regional Development Plan. He cited the challenge of low productivity in the agricultural sector. For instance, while the agriculture and fishery sector accounts for more than half of the labor force, it produces less than 15 percent of the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). In contrast, the industrial sector employs less than 10 percent of the work force but generates nearly two-thirds of the GRDP. Mr. Yabes informed the public that rice and corn production grew substantially in 2004 and also gave an overview on the mandate and functions of BAS. RD Gulla responded to some inquiries on civil registry matters and on the Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (CAF). Mr. Navarro shared data on the 2004 GRDP and the 2003 Poverty Statistics as estimated by the NSCB. He reported that in the year 2003, 1 in every 4 families lived below the poverty threshold in CAR. In closing, he emphasized the need by the public to participate not only in the NSM activities slated for October 2005 but to support the various surveys and censuses conducted by the statistical system. Dir. Gulla also expressed the hope that the public will favorably support the surveys of the NSO and other statistical agencies and concluded that “sa tamang bilang, higit ang pakinabang.”

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) organized said Kapihan which included both national and local media outfits: ABS-CBN, RPN-9, Bombo Radyo, GMA-7, VIACOMM, Skycable, Midland Courier, and others.

Radio Guesting

Simultaneously, Aldrin Bahit of NSCB-CAR and Gani Ngolob of BAS-CAR were guests during the NSO-CAR Sa Himpapawid at DZEQ Radyo ng Bayan. Mr. Bahit answered queries on the functions of the NSCB and discussed some of the agency's products and services. He briefly explained the structure of the Philippines Statistical System (PSS) and its coordination mechanisms. Mr. Ngolob responded to questions pertaining to the performance of the agriculture and fishery sectors in CAR. Ms. Villafe Alibuyog, Head of NSO-Benguet, accompanied the two guests and also participated in the lively discussion inside the radio booth anchored by DZEQ's Robert Tabay.

Page last updated: February 23, 2007