By Dr. Rex Casiple
On September 20, 1990, former President Corazon C. Aquino issued Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month.” The proclamation aims to promote, enhance, and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.
The theme of this year’s NSM Celebration is “NSM@32: Revving up for Economic and Social Recovery Through Evidence-Based Policies (NSM@32: Pag-arangkada padulong sa pang-sosyal kag pang-ekonomiya nga pagbangon paagi sa mga pagsulundan nga nasandig sa ebidensya”. The theme was heartened by the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed and affected millions of lives worldwide at an unprecedented rate, paralyzing the smallest of families to the biggest of nations.
The lockdowns and community quarantine measures imposed amid pandemic restricted the people’s mobility resulting to reduction of employment across all sectors. This has caused a negative impact to the livelihood of millions of Filipinos and, ultimately, disrupted the country’s momentum towards achieving its economic targets.
Hence with these challenges and negative impacts of the pandemic, the 32nd NSM theme was adopted. The theme was also inspired by the “Recharge PH” program of the government which rallies all sectors of the economy and all the Filipino people to adopt a “whole of society approach” to unite and contribute towards economic recovery.
The role of Statistics is so important in this time of pandemic. Statistics are bases for policy decisions to address the socio-economic impact of COVID-19. Evidence-based Statistics will guide and support the nation’s efforts in navigating the pandemic towards socio-economic recovery. They are useful in analyzing the situation and in formulating policies for reforms.
Some of the highlights of activities of this year’s observance of the 32nd NSM, from October 4-28, 2021, are the virtual Opening Ceremony on October 4, 2021 hosted by the Department of Labor and Employment Region 6 (DOLE 6); Statistical Infomercial Contest hosted by the West Visayas State University (WVSU); Statistical Infographics Contest hosted by the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc., Region VI Chapter (PSAI 6); Photo Contest open to all hosted by the Department of Tourism Region 6 (DOT 6); Statistical Essay Writing Contest for College Students hosted by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI (CHEDRO VI); E-Poster Contest for Junior High School Students hosted by UP Visayas Statistical Society; Lecture Series on Official Statistics, a 3-day lecture series hosted by the Philippine Statistics Authority RSSO 6; and Recharge PH through Evidence-Based Policies, a webinar organized by the National Economic Development Authority Region 6 (NEDA 6) and PSAI 6. The virtual closing and awarding ceremonies for the contest winners will be hosted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – Iloilo Branch on October 28, 2021.
The Statistical Essay Writing Contest for College Students is a regional competition in essay writing among colleges students enrolled in public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) in Western Visayas. The main purpose of the contest is to create awareness among college students on the importance and relevance of Statistics in our daily lives.
Finally, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic there are many restrictions in doing face-to-face activities. Hence all contests will be done virtually. All activities will be seen livestream and posted on the Facebook page “32nd NSM Western Visayas”. The contest schedules and guidelines are likewise posted on the same Facebook page.
