By: Dr. Rex Casiple
“The Philippines, branded as one of the best-performing countries in Asia, continues to achieve its goals of having a prosperous and stable economic growth for years to come as well as attaining the Filipino aspiration in coping up with the problem the nation faces.
Despite the challenges brought by both natural and man-made calamities, the country strengthens its economic stability through development plans prioritizing sustainability which puts it in a better part in the future years. As part of the growing nation, Western Visayas also plays its vital role in the countries’ economy by propelling its socio-economic status to prosper against the issues of poverty and over-population. In 2017, the region recorded an accelerated growth of 8.4% on its economy exceeding its rating in 2016 by 2.5%.”
The above statements are portions of the winning piece of Central Philippine University(CPU) entitled “Western Visayas Progresses Towards AmbisyonNatin 2040”, the 2nd Runner-up of the 16th Statistical Analysis Contest for College Students conducted by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VI at the Jalaur Conference Room, NEDA Building, Iloilo City on October 25, 2019, in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA 6) and the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc. Region VI Chapter (PSAI 6).
“Region 6 needs to focus more on the health sector even though it has already made improvements. There needs to be more programs for awareness of the leading causes of deaths like hypertension and pneumonia. More attention is needed for mothers who are about to give birth as well as the overall health of the family. In terms of education, the government must utilize all its resources for the implementation of the free tuition so that more students are able to enjoy their right to education and be prepared to go to work in the future. The government must also utilize its resources to offer scholarships to aspiring students. In terms of public order, safety, and justice, there is improvement in the police workforce that decrease the number of crimes in the region so they should continue to enforce the law for the citizens to follow.”
The above statements are portions of the winning piece of University of San Agustin entitled “The Life We Deserve”, the Champion of the 16th Statistical Analysis Contest for College Students this year 2019.
The winning team members are Cyril John Tubola (Bachelor in Secondary Education 2), RomariCharlz Diaz (BS Architecture 5) and Frances Therese Carbon (BS Medical Laboratory Science 2). Their adviser is Rhodora A. Cartagena.
The TUP-Visayas ranked 1strunner-up. The members of their team are Gideon Lorenzo Montealegre (BS Mechanical Engineering 5), Jerson Ocera (BS Mechanical Engineering 2) and Al Neo Pacino (BS Mechanical Engineering 2). Their adviser is Engr. Kevin R. Claveras, MT. The title of their study is “Analysis of the Current Socio-Economic Situation of Western Visayas Region and Its Progress.”
The members of CPU team (2ndrunner-up) are Christian O. Ruiz (BS Civil Engineering 5), Mark Joseph E. Tagal( BS Civil Engineering 5) and Bejay P. Songcong (BS Civil Engineering 5). The adviser is Prof. Edgardo Gerada.
The other participating colleges and universities were Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, West Visayas State University, Iloilo State College of Fisheries, Philippine Normal University Visayas, ISAT University, Colegio San Agustin – Bacolod, Bago City College, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation, Inc.- Bacolod and Bacolod City College.
The main purpose of the contest is to create awareness among college students on the importance and relevance of Statistics in national development. It aims to determine possible areas for improvement in the college Statistics curriculum and to attract college entrants to enroll in Statistics and Research courses.
The contest is one of the official activities of the 30th NSM Celebration adopted by CHED in Western Visayas. The NSM is celebrated as per Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month”. The theme of this year’s NSM Celebration is “Data Innovation: Key to a Better Nation.”
