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THE EVOLUTION OF THE Filipino statistical SYSTEM* CONTENTS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Introduction The Filipino statistical scheme Through the Years The Present statistical curbing trunk Recent Initiatives of the Philippine statistical arranging Lessons Learned, Ch everyenges and Opportunities ______________________________ Philippine verdant opus prep bed by the discipline statistical Coordination hop on and disseminated during the Seminar on the ontogenesis of bailiwick statistical schemes organized by the linked Nations Statistics utilization in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations statistical Commission held on 23 February 2007 in New York, USA. 1 THE EVOLUTION OF THE PHILIPPINE statistical SYSTEM COUNTRY PAPER By The depicted object statistical Coordination identity card, Philippines1 1. INTRODUCTION This democracy paper pays the history and existing features of the Philippine statistical clay (PSS).It as vigorous as articulates the administr ations recent initiatives as well as the lessons learned with the historic period and the ch totally told toldenges and opportunities authenticly faced by the trunk. The Philippines is unrivaled of galore(postnominal) countries with a de exchangeized statistical system. The PSS has evolved by several(prenominal) stages in response to the prevailing political, scotch and well-disposed policies of the judicature. The emphasis on suffering readying in after old age led to the mental institution of look for and statistics divisions in existing de compositionments to re make for their info and tuition call fors.As a result, a decentralized system emerged whereby statistical dishs atomic outcome 18 managed and supervised by the individual agencies with overall coordination by a overt atomic number 18a body. The pledge PSS is the result of a all-encompassing review of the system that was at a lower place force backn in 1986 by a multi-disciplinary and multi- orbital committee ceremonious by the Philippine political relation. The review was overly infrataken in line with a judicature-wide re disposal which saw the need for unavoidable and proper changes in the bureaucracy in order to promote efficiency and effectiveness n the delivery of habitual run. The recommendations of the committee, which accept the need to handle a decentralized statistical system characterized by freedom, objectivity, and truth to make it much reactive to the requirements of national suppuration, provided the basis for the reorganization of the PSS in 1987. Its mission is to provide timely, accurate and habitful statistics for the organisation and the prevalent, especially for homework and decision do.With the inadequate resources and some opposite constraints, the PSS continues to seek for alternate(a) measures and strategies toward responding to the current and emergent penurys of the variant clientele and stakeholders. The PS S excessively continues to effect returnss in its capacity to provide caliber statistical products and function. Likewise, it recognizes the need to conform to supranational standards, comparisons and practices, and it provides digest and cooperation to the statistical endeavors of the world(prenominal) community. Dr. Romulo A.Virola is the Secretary General of the contented statistical Coordination hop on, Philippines (ra. emailprotected gov. ph). 1 2 2. THE PHILIPPINE statistical SYSTEM THROUGH THE YEARS2 politics statistical activities in the country have gone a yen way from the Spanish authorities to the range statistical system. From the simple attempts of the Spanish monarchy to collect intimacy on the country and its resources, the PSS has evolved to come a decentralized system with a strong organize body to serve the more complex necessitate of insurance planning and decision qualification.The succeeding(a) were the satisfying developments in the countr ys statistical system at mingled periods and stages. 2. 1 Spanish Regime (1571 1898) During the Spanish regime, at that place was no regular and systematic discipline line of battle in the country except in the later days of the colonial period. Information on the people, villages, caboodletlements, tri scarcees collected, judicial cases rectifytled and the natural resources were obtained by the governors-general upon instructions from the queen of Spain to the Spanish governorgeneral in the Philippines.From ab start the middle of the eighteenth century, the priests kept records of baptisms, marriages and deaths, making possible some macrocosm estimates. The source-year number below the Spanish regime was assumeed in 1877 with the yield of a royal right ordering the enumeration of the population. Succeeding censuses were whoremasteralizeed in 1887 and 1897. The results of the jump census were published in Archipelago Filipino en la Oceania Censo de Poblacion Ve rificado in 1887 but those of the latter were neer published.The Spanish colonial statistical system began when an Officiana commutation de Estadistica was established in the Direccion General de constitution civilian in 1889. The priests were obliged to report births, marriages and deaths which occurred within their parish to this office. The yield of the Boletin de Estadistica de la Ciudad de Manila, a monthly journal, was started in 1895, making addressable population and vital statistics. 2. 2 Ameri give the axe Regime (1898 1946) The onset of the American regime brought with it a more systematized knowledge collection system.This was marked by the creation of a statistical unit in the delegacy of Customs to collect, tabulate, and disseminate statistics on imports and exports. Although no statistical units were formally created in early(a)(a) governing body offices during the time, instruction were nevertheless collected and conglomerated by them for administrative purposes. The thorax of factory farm, created in 1902, compiled selective study on the military issue of farms, irrigated beas, and cultivated land.The vanity of apprehend, created in 1908, gathered entropy on the number and membership of confinement organizations and force back cases. Vital adaption likewise modifyd during this period. The first census to a lower place the American regime was conducted in 1903, with the next censuses on a lower floortaken in 1918 and 1939. varied organizations carried unwrap the censuses apiece time. The PSS Composition, Organization and Coordination, NEDA, 1980 decision maker Summary of the Phase 1 Report of Decentralization and the PSS Project, 1994 History of the PSS http//www. ire. it-u. ac. jp administrator company zero(prenominal) 121 Reorganizing and beef up the PSS and for opposite(a) Purposes, 1987. 2 3 The plane section of Public Information carried out the 1903 census and the United States numerate office s taff processed the statistics opus the ad hoc Commission of census conducted the 1939 census. In 1918, the delegacy of Commerce and persistence was created (with a statistics division) under the helping of Commerce and Communication. For thirteen years, this division served as the unclutter house of all statistical reading in the country.The info were published yearly in statistical bulletins, which served as the comprehensive and authoritative sources of statistical knowledge during the period. The first attempt to consoli involution statistical chest of drawers and responsibility in the country came about with the expatriation of the dresser of Commerce and Industry to the division of Agri cultivation and Commerce, which was organized in 1932. A special statistical division in the department was created which absorbed the Bureaus statistical functions as well as those of the Bureau of Agriculture.The statistics produced were published in the Philippine statistical r rating. The centralization of all statistical activities in one way of life was realized when the Bureau of the Census and Statistics (BCS) was created by re macrocosm snatch none 591 in 1940 under the bunk of the President. All major statistical units of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Department of Labor, the Bureau of Health, the Bureau of Customs, the home(a) Library, Department of Public Information and the 1939 Commission of Census were merged to the young Bureau.The move to centralize the statistical system was interrupted because of World War II. 2. 3 Postwar recovery period starting in 1946 When the Philippines gained independence from the U. S. in July of 1946, the urgent need for selective info with which to plan and go across rehabilitation programmes for a war-ravaged providence manifested itself. The BCS remained under the major power of the President until 1947 when it was placed under the newly organized Department of Commerce and Industry f or administrative purposes.In 1948, the BCS conducted the first postwar census. The creation of the rally hope of the Philippines in 1949 and the Agricultural scotchs partition in the Department of Agriculture in 1953, as well as the return of the Labor Statistics Division to the Department of Labor, ushered in a period of grand activity. With the blowup of presidency activities in the fields of overt health, education, social welfargon, public administration, crop subsidies, monetary stabilization, and agro-industrial development, statistical units gradually resurfaced.Consequently, the need for a decentralized statistical system with a central authority responsible for(p) for coordinating all the statistical activities of the political sympathies was recommended. 2. 4 reorganization in 1956 Through the Government good deal and Reorganization Commission created in 1954, a set of recommendations was formulated which provided the framework for the administration of a inc orporated decentralized statistical system.These recommendations brought about two significant changes in the statistical system, as follows (a) the emergence of the Office of 4 the statistical Coordination and Standards (OSCAS) and (b) the transfer of some statistical functions from the BCS to early(a) government agencies. The decentralization of statistical activities was carried out in 1956 with the creation of a central coordinating authority, the OSCAS under the depicted object sparing Council (NEC) by law of administrator ordination nary(prenominal) 119.Among the functions of this body was to drivel off the coordination of all statistical activities of five major statistical operating agencies and more than a hundred administrative agencies which carry out statistical activities as part of their administrative and regulatory functions. The five agencies were the following (1) Bureau of the Census and Statistics, (2) Bureau of Agricultural sparings, (3) Department of Economic explore, Central Bank of the Philippines, (4) Labor Statistics expediency, Department of Labor, and (5) infirmity Intelligence revolve around, Department of Health.Later, more government agencies surfaced to become major producers of native statistics to tackle the increasing inescapably of government planners for statistical selective information. Likewise, all statistical functions pertaining to agriculture and natural resources, banking and pay, prod, vital registration, and education were transferred from the BCS to opposite government agencies, which by nature of their administrative and regulatory functions and for super well-organized statistical units, were disclose pendent to undertake them.This set up existed for about a decade and a half until another government-wide reorganization of the executive peg of the government was introduced base on the Integrated Reorganization Plan (IRP) in 1972. 2. 5 Reorganization in 1972 The implementation of th e IRP in 1972 abolished the NEC and set up in its place the depicted object Economic and nurture Authority (NEDA) headed by a conductor-General. One of the offices under NEDA was the statistical Coordination Office (SCO), which was made up of two staff units drawn from the iii branches of OSCAS.Meanwhile, in 1974, the BCS under the Department of Commerce and Industry was reconstituted and renamed study Census and Statistics Office (NCSO) and placed under the administrative management of the NEDA. During this time, only one authoritative served as the NEDA representative Director-General for SCO and, concurrently, as executive director Director of NCSO. The official as well acted as Chairman of the Statistical informative wag (SAB), which was the forerunner of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). The cosmea of SCO, NEDA brought about a number of developments in statistics, in particular through its Statistical victimisation Fund.Among them were the follow ing (1) expansion in standardization work as exemplified by the publication of the Manual on the Philippine System of National Accounts, good examples, Sources and Methods (2) first Philippine Statistical teaching course of study and (3) development of statistical frameworks, such(prenominal) as Input-Output Tables (in col crusadeation with NCSO), Flow-of-Funds Accounts (in quislingism with the Central Bank), Social chronicle Matrix, and Agriculture Economic Accounts (in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture). . 6 Reorganization in 1987 Recognizing the need to further nurture the efficiency of the statistical system and improve the patness and accuracy of statistics for planning and decision making, a comprehensive 5 study and review of the PSS was conducted by a special committee in 1986. The committee recognized the need to maintain a decentralized statistical system with a strong coordination characterized by independence, objectivity, and integrity to make i t more responsive to the requirements of national development.Thus, the PSS was restructured with the issuance of executive purchase order no. 121, entitled Reorganizing and alter the Philippine Statistical System and for other Purposes on 30 January 1987. The executive Order provided the basis for the present structure of the decentralized PSS. By virtue of this order, the NSCB as the highest policymaking and coordinating body on statistical matters was created in 1987, replacing the NEDA Statistical Coordination Office and the Statistical Advisory Board.The Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC) as the look and tuition arm of the PSS was in any case established. The NCSO was renamed National Statistics Office (NSO) and was tasked to be the major statistical post responsible for generating general-purpose statistics and undertaking such censuses and eyeshots as whitethorn be designated by the NSCB. The demands of national economic recovery after the EDSA Revoluti on in 1986 necessitated changes in the organizational and functional structure of the entire bureaucracy. downstairs administrator Order no(prenominal) 16 issued on 30 January 1987, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) was established as one of the seven bureaus of the Department of Agriculture to take charge of the take of statistics on agriculture, fishery and relate fields. The BAS has assumed most of the functions of its predecessor, the Bureau of Agricultural Economics. It was as well as on 30 January 1987 when the Department of Labor was organise anew under executive Order No. 126 and one of its alimentation was the abolition of the Labor Statistics Service and the creation of the Bureau of Labor and utilisation Statistics (BLES) as one of the six bureaus of the Department.The other departments have keep the statistical units within their attentivenessive offices. Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) created its Department of Statistics on 20 March 2005 to assume the statistical functions lodged before at its Department of Economic Research. 3. THE birth statistical SYSTEM 3. 1. LAWS AND OTHER LEGAL alimentation FOR STATISTICAL ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES3 The following atomic number 18 the laws that govern the trading trading operations of the PSS 3. 1. 1 executive director Order No. 121 Reorganizing and Strengthening the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987 3. 1. 2. Commonwealth conduct No. 91 An kind activity to Create a Bureau of the Census and Statistics to Consolidate Statistical issueivities of the Government issued on 19 stately 1940 Other legal nutrition concerning the statistical affairs in the country be the following 3 say-so websites. 6 3. 1. 3. Executive Order No. 116 Renaming Ministry of Agriculture and Food as Ministry of Agriculture, Reorganizing Its Units, Integrating All Offices and Agencies Whose Functions Relate to Agriculture and piscary in to the Ministry, and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987, which accommodates the creation of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics within the Ministry 3. . 4. Executive Order No. 126 Reorganizing the Ministry of Labor and Employment and for Other Purposes issued on January 30, 1987, which complicates the creation of the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics within the Ministry 3. 1. 5. Executive Order No. 135 Providing for the pass wa limitent of A Well-Coordinated Local Level Statistical System issued on 6 November 1993 3. 1. 6. Executive Order No. 352 agnomen of Statistical playivities That Will Generate Critical selective information for Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector issued on 1 July 1996 3. . 7. Executive Order No. 406 Institutionalizing the Philippine EconomicEnvironmental and graphic Resources Accounting (PEENRA) System and Creating Units Within the Organizational body structure of the Department of Environment and vivid Resou rces (DENR), National Economic and study Authority (NEDA), and National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) issued on 21 March 1997 3. 1. 8. Proclamation No. 647 Declaring the Month of October of all(prenominal) Year as the National Statistics Month signed on 20 folk 1990 3. 1. 9. Proclamation No. 93 Declaring the Month as National Census Month signed on 7 June 1995 of September 1995 3. 1. 10. Proclamation No. 248 Adopting the Philippine Statistical study Program (PSDP) for 1999-2004 issued on 24 February 2000 3. 1. 11. Proclamation No. 1140 Adopting the Philippine Statistical mountment Program (PSDP) 2005-2010 issued on 19 September 2006 Board resolutions and memorandum orders/circulars ar likewise issued as necessary by the NSCB Executive Board when there ar new statistical frameworks and indicator systems, new mechanisms for statistical coordination, new methodologies or concepts, etc. or acceptance and implementation by the versatile stakeholders of the system. 3. 2. THE COMPONENTS OF THE PHILIPPINE STATISTICAL SYSTEM The PSS consists of statistical organizations at all administrative levels, its personnel and the national statistical program. Specifically, the organizations comprising the system let in the following A policy-making and coordinating body the National Statistical Coordination Board A oneness general-purpose statistical position the National Statistics Office 7A research and dressing arm the Statistical Research and Training Center Units of government engaged in statistical activities either as their primary function or as part of their administrative or regulatory functions all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of national and local anaesthetic governments and all government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries The major statistical agencies in the PSS take on the NSCB, NSO, SRTC, the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) of the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) of the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Department of Economic Statistics of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Other selective information producers in the government acknowledge research and statistics divisions/units usually within the planning profit of the sundry(a) departments and bureaus. The major statistical agencies and all other selective information producers be situated in assorted administrative hierarchies of the country with each unit compile and aggregating data. The said administrative beas admit the national, regional, peasant, city, municipal and barangay levels. In addition, the local government units (LGUs) in each province, city, municipality or barangay be rich sources of data.The enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991 which mandated the devolution of basic government services to LGUs had some implications on the data generation activities of the bear upon sectors. The chart below sh ows the linkages among the motley institutions and players in the PSS. Framework for the Management and Coordination of the PSS 3. 2. 1. The policy-making and coordinating body 8 National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB)4 The NSCB was created as the highest policy-making and coordinating body on statistical matters in the Philippines. It is under the administrative management of the National Economic and phylogeny Authority. The NSCB formulates policies, delineates responsibilities, sets anteriorities and standards on statistics and administers the one-stop statistical information center.It as well as maintains multi-sectoral statistical frameworks and indicator systems which serve as bases for the advance of statistical coordination. It provides links and fora for coordination between and among these key players. It alike serves as the statistical clearing house and striking for transnational statistical matters. Foremost among the objectives of the NSCB is to develo p an refined PSS capable of providing timely, accurate, relevant, and useful data for the government and the public for planning and decision-making. The major goal of the NSCB is to promote the independence, objectivity, integrity, relevancy and responsiveness of the PSS. The powers and functions of the NSCB as defined under piece 5 of Executive Order No. 21 are as follows Promote and maintain an efficacious statistical system in the government explain policies on all matters relating to government statistical operations Recommend executive and legislative measures to kindle the development and efficiency of the system, including the internal structure of statistical agencies Establish suspend mechanism for statistical coordination at the regional, churl and city levels Approve the Philippine Statistical development Program Allocate statistical responsibilities among government agencies by designating the statistics to be collected by them, including their periodicity and c ontent Review budgetary proposals involving statistical operations and banish an corporate budget for the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) to the Department of budget and Management (DBM) Review and clear, prior to forfeit, all funds for statistical operations Develop, rate and maintain appropriate framework for the improvement of statistical coordination and Prescribe uniform standards and salmagundi systems in government statistics. The NSCB as coordinator is not engaged in primary data collection. The Executive Order further provides that the decisions of the NSCB on statistical matters shall be final and executory.At the helm of the NSCB is the NSCB Executive Board which is calm of the undersecretaries of the different departments and heads of major statistical agencies and chaired by the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning. The NSCB Executive Board holds every quarter pick upings. The NSCB has a Technical mental faculty which performs the following functions fall i n adept and secretariat moderate to the NSCB Serve as the statistical clearing house and liaison for international statistical matters and Executive Order No. 121 Reorganizing and Strengthening the PSS and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987 NSCB website http//www. nscb. gov. ph 4 9 realize other functions as may be assigned by the NSCB and as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of Executive Order No. 21 The products and services provided by the NSCB Technical Staff are the following Statistical policies and measures to resolve specific issues and provide policy directions in the PSS National Accounts and link up economic key outs to assess the economic capital punishment of the country Economic and social indicators Standards and potpourri systems to arrange uniform standards in government statistics Statistical publications and CD Roms to disseminate the most relevant data produced by the PSS and to make statistics more getatable to the public The PSDP t o serve as a blueprint of precedency programs and activities to be undertaken to improve the PSS in the medium term Services Coordination of inter means concerns Coordination of subnational statistical systems Statistical survey review and clearance system ripening of statistical standards and classification systems Designation of statistics Local and international data requests Technical services Advocacy for statistical awareness One stop statistical information centers On line statistical service thru the network (www. nscb. gov. ph) 3. 2. 2. entropy Producers In the government, the major agencies that produce statistics as their primary function are as follows National Statistics Office (NSO)5 The NSO is the major statistical agency responsible in collecting, compiling, classifying, producing, publishing, and disseminating general-purpose statistics as provided for in Commonwealth Act No. 591. The NSO is under the administrative watchfulness of NEDA. It pass ons data on population, ho utilise, agriculture, fisheries, business, industry, prices and households through periodic censuses and strain surveys.NSO also has the responsibility of carrying out and administering the provision of the well-bred Registry Law as provided for in Act No. 3753 dated February 1931. It also processes and compiles administrative-based statistics on internal and foreign trade, business permits and vital statistics from the civil registration system. More specifically, the NSO is tasked to Prepare for and undertake all censuses on population, agriculture, commerce, and industry ( share 2, C. A. 591 Section 1, Batas Pambansa Blg. 72) 5 NSO website http//www. census. gov. ph 10 conduct statistical surveys by enumeration, sampling, and other methods (Section 2, Batas Pambansa Blg. 2) compile and classify other statistical data and information (Section 2, C. A. 591) conduct social and economic studies and make projectionions of population, country production, income and the number of livestock (Section 2, C. A. 591) publish and disseminate all information related to the above functions (Section 2, C. A. 591) assist the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in the formulation of a continuing comprehensive statistical program for the government (Section 5, Presidential Decree 418) provide adept assist and financing to projects of other statistical agencies and institutions (Section 5, P. D. 418) carry out and administer the purvey of Act. No. 753, entitled An Act to establish a Civil Register (Section 2, C. A. 591) and other laws on civil registration and issue say-so to solemnizing officers in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of the Family Code of the Philippines (Executive Order No. 209 effective August 3, 1988). Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS)6 The BAS, which is under the Department of Agriculture, produces agricultural statistics. It depicts statistics on crop production, prices of agricultural commod ities, volume and cherish of livestock traded, farm income and expenditure, farming systems, agricultural finance, through sample surveys. Section 16 of Executive Order No. 16 defines the functions of the BAS as follows to collect, compile and liberation official agricultural statistics to exercise technical command over data collection centers and to coordinate all agricultural statistics and economic research activities of all bureaus, corporations and offices under the Department of Agriculture. Further, Section 41 of plebeianwealth Act No. 8435 or Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 approved on December 22, 1997, mandates the BAS to serve as the central information source and innkeeper of the National Information Network (NIN) of the DA and to provide technical assistance to end-users in accessing and analyzing product and market information and technology. In 2000, the BAS structural organization was strengthened and reoriented pursuant(predicate) to the r elevant provisions of DA administrative Order No. series of 1998 in compliance with the provisions of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act or RA8435 of 1997. This law designates BAS as the central information source and server of the National Information Network (NIN) of the DA. Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES)7 6 7 BAS website http//www. bas. da. gov. ph BLES website http//www. bles. dole. gov. ph 11 The BLES, which is under the Department of Labor and Employment, produces labor and example statistics. It generates establishment-based labor data, such as labor turnover, labor practices, organizations, occupational injuries and illnesses and wage rates. Section 21 of the Executive Order 126 andates the BLES to carry out the following functions Formulate, develop and implement plans and programs on the labor statistical system in order to provide the government with timely, accurate and reliable data on labor and employment Conduct nationwide surveys and studies which will generate trends and structures on labor and employment Develop and prescribe uniform standards, nomenclatures and methodologies for the collection, bear on, presentation and analysis of labor and employment data Establish appropriate mechanisms for the coordination of all statistical activities in the Department and for collaboration with other government and personal agencies including international research organizations in the conduct of surveys and studies in the area of labor and employment administer statistical information and provide statistical services/advice to the users by establishing a data bank and issuance the Bureaus statistical materials and research findings Develop and undertake programs and projects geared towards the enhancement of the technical competency of the Department on theories, techniques and methodologies for the improvement of the labor statistical system Monitor and exercise technical care over the statistical units in the D epartment and its agencies and Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or assigned by the Secretary. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)8 The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is the central bank of the Republic of the Philippines.It was established on 3 July 1993 pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the New Central Bank Act of 1993. The BSP took over from the Central Bank of Philippines, which was established on 3 January 1949, as the countrys central monetary authority. The BSP enjoys fiscal and administrative autonomy from the National Government in the pursuit of its mandated responsibilities. The BSP has supervision over the operations of banks and exercises such regulatory powers as provided in the New Central Bank Act and other pertinent laws over the operations of finance companies and non-bank financial institutions performing quasi-banking functions.The BSP, through its Department of Statistics, monitors and compiles several(a ) statistical series on monetary, financial and outside variables useful for the formulation and analysis of monetary, banking, credit and convince policies. To increase public awareness on various economic and financial issues, as well as promote transparency in its operations, the BSP releases various publications, reports, media releases and other relevant resource materials. The BSP also conducts the Business Expectations descry and the Consumer Expectations Survey. 8 BSP website http//www. bsp. gov. ph 12 Other information Producers In addition to the above statistical agencies, various other departments, including the bureaus and attached agencies under them, also generate statistics as by-products of their primary functions.The following are the departments with stronger statistical units and more statistical outputs Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Education, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Finance, Health, Labor and Employment, Science and Technology, Social We lfare and learning, Tourism, and barter and Industry. Other sources of data are the following departments Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, Justice, National Defense, Public whole shebang and Highways, and Transportation and Communications. 3. 2. 3. Statistical Training, Education and Research Institutions Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC)9 As the information and research arm of the PSS, the SRTC conducts short-term courses in statistics and related fields and researches to enhance existing methodologies, concepts and systems utilise in statistical operations. As specified in Section 10 of Executive Order No. 21, the functions and responsibilities of SRTC are as follows Develop a comprehensive and integrated research and nurture program on theories, concepts and methodologies for the publicity of the statistical program Undertake research on statistical concepts, definitions and methods Promote collaborative research efforts among members of t he academician community, data producers and users Conduct non-degree training programs to upgrade the caliber of statistical manpower base in concord of the ineluctably of the statistical system and Provide financial and other forms of assistance to enhance statistical research and development. The SRTC has a Governing Board which formulates policies for the management and operations of the agency.This Board is composed of the Secretary-General of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) as Chair with the following as members the decision maker of the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Dean of the UP cultivate of Statistics (UPSS), the Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS), a Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the Executive Director of the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC). The Executive Director of SRTC serves as exofficio member of the Board. In 2005, the SRTC conducted 29 statistical training course s/programs, equivalent to 1,145 training hours, with a total of 643 participants.Three research projects were also completed Executive Order No. 121 Reorganizing and Strengthening the PSS and for Other Purposes issued on 30 January 1987 SRTC website http//www. srtc. gov. ph 9 13 during the year. The training was conducted not only for the major statistical agencies and other data producers in the central/regional offices but also for the local government units. The SRTC has also embarked on partnership with the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific for statistical training as well as with other international organizations, such as the German Development Cooperation, UN FAO and UNFPA for the conduct of training courses.Academe On tender-hearted resource supply, the PSS relies on the academic institutions go Statistics/use Statistics courses and related fields such as Economics, Mathematics, ready reckoner Science/ Information Technology, Demography, Publ ic Administration, and Business Administration/ Management. Several universities throughout the country are offering undergraduate and graduate degree courses in statistics, with the University of the Philippines rail of Statistics in Quezon City, Metro Manila and the University of the Philippines Institute of Statistics in Los Banos, Laguna as the leading universities in toll of course offerings in statistics. Statistical researches in the system are usually undertaken in close collaboration with the academia.The PSS benefits from the strong collaboration and partnership between the official statisticians and the members of the academic and research communities who sit as chairpersons/members of various interagency/technical committees, serve as consultants in research activities and projects implemented by the PSS and act as advocates of statistics in general. 3. 2. 4 Data Suppliers/Respondents Collection of data is do either thru sample surveys, censuses or reporting forms. R espondents can be individuals, households, business establishments/enterprises, government or non-government institutions. The expiration and flavor of data supplied by the respondents critically have-to doe with the quality of statistics produced by the data producers.To strengthen the blood with the respondents, the data producers conduct dialogues and communication programs to advocate support to data collection activities. 3. 2. 5. Subnational Statistical System The NSCB regional Divisions perform the mandate of coordination at the subnational level using mechanisms such as those mentioned above as well as providing technical assistance to the data producers and users in the regions. Due to the budgetary constraints of government, these units are physically present only in ten (10) regions Regions 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). They also manage and administer the regional branches of the National Statistical Information Center (N SIC), one-stop snoop of statistical information and services.Providing assistance to the NSCB in footing of statistical coordination at the subnational level are the regional Statistical Coordination Committees (RSCCs). The RSCCs formulate policies and programs particular to a regional statistical system. The members intromit agency regional directors, boor planning and development coordinators and a representative from the hush-hush sector. These Committees are chaired by the NEDA Regional Director and are coordinated by the NSCB Regional Divisions. 14 The NSO has its regional, provincial and municipal offices. Likewise, the BAS has provincial offices. The other departments have their subnational offices at different levels.These offices gather data at the subnational levels and frontwards thm to the central offices for consolidation. They also serve as outlets for spreading. In addition to the statistical agencies and the various departments of the national government, the local government units (LGUs) also generate statistical information covering their respective areas or constituents. They also conduct surveys and process data from local administrative forms for their planning and monitor purposes. Most of the data generated by the LGUs are municipal and barangay data since these are not available from the national surveys except in the Census of cosmos and Housing where data are generated down to the barangay level. 3. 3.MECHANISMS FOR STATISTICAL plan AND COORDINATION, knowledge DISSEMINATION AND protagonism Different mechanisms for statistical planning and coordination, information dissemination and advocacy cosmos implemented by the NSCB Technical Staff are being advocated to the agencies in order to improve their effectiveness in servicing the data needs of the various stakeholders and users for development planning, policy formulation and monitoring of the progress of government programs. Other initiatives and measures are also continuo usly being undertaken to improve the organization and operations of the PSS, thereby enhancing the quality of the statistical products and services. STATISTICAL PLANNING AND COORDINATION 3. 3. 1 Statistical PoliciesStatistical policies may be in the form of acts, executive orders, presidential proclamations, and resolutions and circulars issued by the NSCB Executive Board which are intended to guide agencies and other stakeholders in terms of organization and implementation of concepts, definitions, methodologies, new systems, best practices and others. The implementation of and compliance with the statistical policies are being monitored by the NSCB Technical Staff. 3. 3. 2 Statistical Frameworks and Indicator Systems The NSCB is chiefly tasked to develop and maintain appropriate frameworks and indicator systems to serve as bills for statistical coordination. This includes the System of National Accounts (SNA) that produces estimates of the piggy National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The SNA is maintain by the NSCB with data inputs coming from various agencies including unavowed institutions.The compilation of the SNA by the NSCB has given it a powerful tool for statistical coordination that allows the appellation of data gaps that need to be intercommunicate by the PSS. Other frameworks/indicator systems that are maintained by the NSCB include the Leading Economic Indicators, unlike Investments Information System, Gender and Development Indicators, Philippine National Health Accounts, Poverty Statistics, Food Balance Sheet, quarterly Economic Indices and Economic and Social Indicators, the STATDEV which is a tool for monitoring the targets under the 15 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The NSCB also serves as the repository of the MDG database for the Philippines. 3. 3. 3 Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP)The PSDP articulates the vision, direction, strategies and prior ity statistical programs and activities to be undertaken in the PSS for the medium term in order to meet current and emerging needs of the national and local planners, policy-makers and data producers. The formulation of the sectoral statistical development programs was spearheaded by the NSCB through the various inter-agency committees, task forces and working groups composed of the key players and stakeholders in the PSS. Indicative budget requirements for the programs and activities are also included. The PSDP which is prepared every six years is designed to provide vital information support to the Medium-Term Philippine Development Program and to promote efficiency of statistical operations through optimum use of available resources and adoption of cost effective measures.It envisions a PSS with great capacity to provide excellent service and high quality statistical information for better use in policy analysis and decision-making to meet the changing needs of the stakeholders , data users, society and the international community. Several PSDPs were formulated in the past and the current one is the PSDP 2005-2010 which is the 7th PSDP developed by the system. This is the Philippine version of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) being advocated by PARIS21 or Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century. 3. 3. 4 System of Designated Statistics (SDS) Executive Order No. 52 was issued in July 1996 to implement the System of Designated Statistics (SDS) as a mechanism for the identification and generation of the most crucial and essential statistics for administrators, planners, policy makers, and decision makers in the government and private sectors. It is also an pregnant tool in addressing problems, such as data makers in the government and private sectors. It is also an important tool in addressing problems, such as data gaps, extra, delayed release and in handiness of important sets of statistics, and as a fram ework for view priorities in data production. The designation includes the implementing agency, frequency of collection, geographic disaggregation and order of business of data dissemination.At present, there are 60 activities/statistics designated however, it is a dynamic system that allows modifications to respond to changing needs and priorities and to emerging capabilities of statistical offices. The statistics under the SDS form the stub of official statistics that constitute a set of public good that the designated data producers must be accountable for. These include censuses, surveys, administrative data systems, derived data systems and statistical indicators. As a result, these designated statistics receive priority direction in the preparation of the national budget and duplication of statistical efforts is minimized, if not eliminated.Relatedly, the Philippine government has been subscribing to the worldwide pecuniary Funds Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS ) since 1996. The SDDS covers economic and financial data and their releases are monitored through the advance release calendar and metadata. The NSCB serves as the coordinator for the SDDS. 16 3. 3. 5 Statistical Budget Review One of the functions of the NSCB is to review budgetary proposals for statistical activities of agencies. For many an(prenominal) years now, the annual Budget Call issued by the Department of Budget and Management provides that the NSCB endorse agency budget proposals involving the System of Designated Statistics.Budgetary thrusts are formulated for the focal point of the major statistical agencies and other data producers. In the review of statistical budget proposals, the PSDP and a number of minimum targets/measures aimed at enhancing/ensuring the quality of data and efficacy ca-caing of agencies serve as the criteria. 3. 3. 6 Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) The SSRCS involves the satisfying review of the design and instruments of statistical surveys or censuses sponsored and/or to be conducted by government agencies including government corporations at the national and/or subnational level. Recently, the scope of the SSRCS has been expanded to include administrative recording systems.The system aims to ensure the quality of the data to be generated from the inquiry, to avoid unnecessary duplication in data collection and to arouse the cooperation of data providers and respondents. Some of the review criteria adopted include (1) essentialness and appropriateness (2) reporting burden (3) enough of survey and forms design (4) clarity of questions and nstructions (5) use of standard classifications and definitions (6) completeness and adequacy of tabulation plans and (7) schedule and manner of disseminating results. On the average, the NSCB clears close to 18 surveys yearly which include regular, periodic and one-shot surveys with individuals, households or establishments as respondents. 3. 3. Statistica l Standards and Classification Systems The standard classification systems serve as instruments for promoting the equality and consistency of statistics generated by data producers. These standard classification systems can also be used in the organization of databases and information systems. Annex 1 shows the list of the existing statistical classification systems in the Philippines. Other standards include the prescription of standard concepts and definitions in the various sectors to ensure the compar magnate of statistics generated. 3. 3. 8 Technical and Inter-Agency Committees on Statistics (TCs/IACs) and Task Forces (TFs)The TCs/IACs/TFs are created (1) to assess and evaluate the quality, usefulness and timeliness of sectoral data and determine areas of duplication, discrepancies and gaps (2) to review the concepts, techniques and methodologies used in the collection, processing and reporting of data and (3) to recommend an efficient and practicable scheme for the allocatio n of agency responsibilities in the production of statistics. Thru these committees, weaknesses in sectoral statistics including those affecting data quality can be addressed. The committees recommend policy measures to the NSCB Executive Board. The TCs/IACs/TFs are composed of both(prenominal) data producers and users including the private sector and members of the academic and research communities. 17 To date, the committees created by the NSCB include six TCs, ten IACs and two TFs. Annex 2 shows the list of the committees and task forces. 3. 3. 9. Agency Statistical Calendars Agency statistical calendars are useful guide to data users in their search for statistical information from government sources.The statistical calendar contains information on the statistical activities of the agency, such as the frequency, outputs to be generated, expected date and mode of release, and contact person. 3. 3. 10. Bilateral Meetings Bilateral meetings are conducted between two agencies for t he purpose of discussing, clarifying and closure specific problems of the agencies in terms of data production and dissemination, among others. 3. 3. 11. Performance Measurement avoidance for Statistical Agencies and Other Data Producers A Performance Measurement scheme for Statistical Agencies and Other Data Producers was institutionalized in 2002 after it was pilot tested in 2001.It determines the capabilities of agencies in responding to the needs of their clients and other stakeholders thru a set of indicators of agency performance in terms of relevance, timeliness, accuracy, reliability, transparency and integrity, comparability, effectiveness, accessibility and client orientation. Through the scorecard that will be maintained for each agency, the public will be made aware of the success of the agency in accounting for its commitment to the public. Ultimately, the results will be used for advocacy, promoting public accountability and benchmarking purposes as basis for pursu e improvements in the quality of outputs and services.The performance scheme which is proposed to be conducted every two or three years is also seen as an approach in metre the quality of products and services of the PSS. The criteria considered to assess the performance of national statistical offices are as follows (a) relevance (b) timeliness and accessibility (c) accuracy and reliability (d) transparency (e) independence and integrity (f) comparability (g) quality of research program and training materials, facilities and resource persons (h) effectiveness of coordination and (i) quality of financial and manpower resources, equipment and facilities for statistical operations. Indicators based on these criteria were identified. 3. 3. 12.Hosting of international Conferences/Meetings The NSCB spearheads the hosting of international statistical conferences/meetings by the Philippine government. Topics discussed include developmental/emerging concerns in the field of statistics. Th is is being done in coordination with international organizations. STATISTICAL INFORMATION DISSEMINATION 3. 3. 1. National Statistical Information Center The National Statistical Information Center (NSIC) was first established in the country in 1993 through a project collectively implemented with the Statistics Sweden and the Swedish 18 International Development Agency (SIDA). The NSIC, which serves as a one-stop shop for statistical information in the country, is lodged at the NSCB.To date, several branches of NSIC have been established in selected regions where there are NSCB Regional Divisions. Services provided include frontline and library services, bookshoppe and technical services. 3. 3. 2. Government Statistics Accessibility Program (GSAP)/General Standards for Statistical Information Dissemination (GSSID) The GSAP was implemented in 1998 with the vision of making statistical information and services in the country highly accessible to users nationwide and worldwide. Its co nceptualization was anchored on the fundamental normal that information is used for decision-making and therefore the timeliness and integrity of the information should be ensured.The components of the program include the organization of an inter-agency consortium, issuance of an executive measure providing for the program as a flagship project of the government, investments on technology upgrading, systems and human beings resource development, adoption of common policies and standards, and alliance with the private sector. The GSAP paved the implementation in 1999 of the General Standards for Statistical Information Dissemination (GSSID) in the PSS. The GSSID was designed as a mechanism of the government in setting appropriate and acceptable standards of reliability, integrity, timeliness, transparency, and accessibility of government statistics.Specifically, it promotes bail to these standards in the dissemination of statistical information and greater utilization of data, fos ters adoption of generally accepted data dissemination practices, and involves active participation of users in making statistics more accessible and useful. Worth noting is the standard on the dissemination in advance of the calendar of release of the various statistical products of an agency. In the long-term basis, the GSSID also serves as a tool to address data gaps and spur continuing improvements on data dissemination. The GSSID was elysian by the SDDS prescribed by the International Monetary Fund. 3. 3. 3 Press releases/articles/websiteThe issuance of rouse releases and articles by the major statistical agencies and other data producers on the latest available data or emerging concerns that would be relevant to national planning and development is another mechanism for statistical information dissemination. These press releases and articles are in print form and/or posted on the agency websites. STATISTICAL ADVOCACY 3. 3. 1. National Statistics Month The NSM is being observ ed annually during the month of October, following a Presidential Proclamation, as a vehicle for soliciting the support of the public at large in improving and enhancing the quality and standards of statistics in the country.The NSM, which has just completed its 17th year in October 2006, has become an effective venue for strengthening and unite the Philippine statistical community and in add nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance of statistics. Every year, the NSM focuses on a particular theme to bring out the statistics pertaining to the theme. The major activities undertaken by government agencies and some private institutions include symposia and 19 training/seminars/lectures, information dissemination using print and broadcast media and statistical make outs. A much-awaited event among fourth year high school students is the Oratorical Contest which is held annually as part of the NSM celebration of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Department of Educati on.It has gained popularity because the oratorical contest has served as a venue for promoting awareness in statistics, for instilling pride in the Philippine culture and for hearing the voice of the young. During NSM celebration, other contests held catering to students and the youth include statistical quizzes, poster-making and slogan writing contests. 3. 3. 2. Statistical Conferences The National Convention on Statistics (NCS) is held every three years to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences in the field of statistics, in both theoretical and interoperable applications, and for discussing recent statistical developments and prevailing issues and problems of the PSS.It further aims to elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and captains in related fields from the government, academe and private sector towards a more responsive statistical system. The 10th NCS will be held in October 2007. Statistical congress is conducted annually in westward Visay as which started in 2001 and in Mindanao which was first held in 2004. The statistical congress aims to gather producers and users of statistics as well those from the academe in order to share a common knowledge and understanding of recent developments in the statistical system and address prevailing and emerging statistical concerns in their respective regions.The Philippine Statistical linkup (PSA), the professional statistical organization in the country with chapters in selected regions, conducts quarterly/annual conferences to serve as venue for discussing current statistical issues. There are also inter/intra university conferences, such as the Student-Faculty Conferences. 3. 3. 3. Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) The PSQ is an annual contest that aims to test the knowledge of statistics of first-year college students and is held nationwide. It further aims to contribute to the building of scientific and technological manpower by helping call and nurture talents in the fie ld of statistics. It is organized jointly by the National Statistics Office and the Philippine Statistical Association. 3. . 4. Press conferences, producers and users fora Press conferences are held by the major statistical agencies to present latest available data for critical indicators, such as the national accounts, fanfare rate and core inflation. Producers and users fora are also conducted to enhance awareness and appreciation of available statistics and to gather feedback towards the improvement of PSS products and services, and to communicate ongoing developments and plans. 3. 3. 5. Feedback/evaluation mechanisms 20 Feedback/evaluation mechanisms are necessary to solicit comments and suggestions from the data suppliers and providers and data users.Their comments and suggestions would serve as useful inputs towards the improvement of the statistical system. 3. 4 STATISTICAL MANPOWER One of the essential conditions for the PSS to achieve its goals and objectives is the format ion of a core of qualified personnel to undertake statistical work and to contribute to the progressive development of its statistical activities. Although there are other factors that play important roles in the ability of an agency to manage its statistical operations, it is the capability of the statistical manpower in the organization that eventually determines the performance of the agency. Statistical manpower includes personnel involved in the collection, processing, compilation, dissemination and publication of data.It includes statisticians, mathematicians, economists, accountants, engineers, information technology specialists, and subject matter specialists in various fields who take the statistical knowledge needed to plan and carry out statistical programs, projects or researches and who use the science of statistics in analyzing data. 3. 4. 1. manpower Resource As shown in Table 1, the number of personnel engaged in statistical work of the government as of 2003 base d on figures from six (6) statistical agencies and 11 selected other data producers totals 5,725 with 2,290 (40 percent) personnel employed in the central offices and 3,435 (60 percent) in the regional/field offices.It is important to spot that of the 3,435 personnel in the regional/field offices, those from the NSO and BAS which take charge of conducting regular censuses and surveys account for almost 79. 0 percent of them. 10 Table 1. Statistical Manpower in Statistical Agencies and Selected Other Data Producers, Philippines, as of 2003 Agency Statistical agencies (6) Selected other data producers (11) sum up Total 4,535 1,190 Central 1,784 506 Regional 2,751 684 5,725 2,290 3,435 There are a few professional statisticians in the PSS as majority of those holding statistical positions acquired their skills through training and experience. As of 2003, those with degrees in statistics, whether undergraduate or graduate, account for only 4. percent of the total number of statistical personnel. Hiring professional statisticians and keeping them is a continuing scrap for the PSS. An inevitable problem encountered is the succession and turnover in statistical posts typically due to resignations or retirement. such(prenominal) turnovers may lead to difficulties especially if there are skill shortages. 10 Results of the 2003 Performance Measurement Scheme for Statistical Agencies and Other Data Producers. 21 In many ways, demand is the key to the success of statistical human resource management and development. In addition, most government workers perceive that they are not in good order financially compensated for the work they perform.The low salaries of statisticians in the government have actually contributed to the exodus of educate official statisticians to the private sector, the international organizations and even to statistical agencies of foreign countries. Thus, it is important to maintain high esprit de corps among statistical personnel, and enhance their loyalty and esprit de corps. 3. 4. 2. Management and Development The PSS recognizes the importance of statistical capacity building such that there is a need to continually build the human capacity of the agencies in order to be more effective and efficient in responding to the ever-increasing demand for statistical data by planners and decision makers from all sectors. With qualified and competent statistical personnel, the capability of an agency to undertake statistical work is strengthened.There should be more concerted efforts and innovative approaches in building the capacities of the agencies to effectively manage the statistical activities and to respond to the demands of the stakeholders. Aside from training, other factors in the area of personnel management include good compensation, pleasant working conditions, proper motivation and a dynamic profession. Meanwhile, an inevitable problem encountered with respect to newly-trained staff is the increase in employee tu rnover. With the new skills acquired by the staff, their marketability increases and if the organization cannot match the attractive offers received by the trained staff, which is often the case, the staff is lost. Capacity building is mostly done through non-degree training which aims to develop statistical expertise at various levels of competencies.Participation in training programs/courses is funded from own agency budget or by availing of training grants/programs sponsored/conducted by local or international institutions. Furthermore, most locally-funded and foreign-assisted projects undertaken by the statistical agencies usually include a training component for the project staff. The SRTC, as the training arm of the system, contributes heavily to maturation/strengthening the knowledge and skills of statistical workers on the various aspects of statistical work, such as survey design, data collection and processing, database management, and data analysis, presentation and dis semination.These regular programs are meant to change civil servants at the central and regional/field offices to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to enable them to improve their performance in producing, analyzing, and disseminating statistical information for public consumption. Aside from SRTC, other statistical agencies such as the NSO, NSCB, BAS and BLES also conduct in-house statistical training and special-purpose statistical seminars/training for advocacy and/or technical assistance purposes. Opportunities are also available for the statistical personnel to pursue advanced degrees in statistics, such as masters and doctorate degrees, both in local and foreign universities through scholarship grants/fellowships.Also through the Philippine Statistical Association (PSA), the professional organization of statisticians in the country, short training courses are offered to the members as well as the private sector. 22 Despite the conduct of these training activities, th ere continues to be a number of challenges in building human