The National Statistics Month (NSM) opening was observed on October 1, 2020, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 dedicated the month of October, every year, to enhancing and instilling nation-wide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value that statistics provide the different sectors of our society. With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, the opening ceremony was held online via Facebook live.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is the host for the 31st NSM with the theme “Bridging Digital Gaps: Making Information Available to All". This year’s celebration put focus on the importance of digitalization and the need to address social inequality in terms of access to and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The theme centers on the availability of information for all in digital and computer technologies, adopting faster and more accurate delivery of timely and quality statistics for sound policies and programs that are produced through effective innovations. Filipinos will be assured of the achievement of the country’s long-term vision of a comfortable life for all. During the whole-month NSM Celebration, the World’s Statistics Day will also be observed on October 20, 2020 which will also be participated in by statistical and other line agencies. Furthermore, this year’s NSM will feature ICT statistics generated from household and industry-based surveys.
The welcome remarks was delivered by Mr. Claire Dennis S. Mapa, Undersecretary, Philippine Statistics Authority. He was the followed by Hon. Karl Kendrick T. Chua, Acting Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning, National Economic and Development Authority, who gave an inspirational message. Secretary Chua stated “Sometimes it really takes a pandemic to do a reform,” He says the demand for timely and useful statistics is needed now more than ever. We are moving towards the digital capture of data, which needs utmost urgency and haste to complete or shift fully from manual processing to full automation. Before moving on to the presentations in the program, Hon. Gregorio B. Honasan II, Secretary, DICT, who gave the keynote message, described the journey towards a digital Philippines is similar to a winding and intricate road system “filled with turns, crossings and bumps rather than a straight-paved highway,” and that DICT plays a vital role in gathering and utilizing data and ICT statistics, as the Department is embarking on various data-gathering initiatives as part of its digital Philippines framework. The data gathered can help government agencies monitor programs and develop evidence-based projects and policies geared towards improving the lives of Filipinos especially now while the country transitions to a new way of life.
With this, PSA is inviting the local government units, national government agencies, as well as the general public to participate in the celebration of the 31st NSM nationwide. Several lined-up activities to the month-long celebration include: press/media forum, radio program guest and interview, conduct of statistical/trivia quiz, essay writing and slogan & poster making contest, lecture and info dissemination, film showing and statistical exhibits among others.
For more details and announcements, kindly visit the NSM webpage or the regional NSM webpage here.
By: Mineral Economics, Information and Publication Division