For the third consecutive year, the UPV Statistical Society of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) won Region VI’s prestigious “Best NSM Agency” award during the 35th National Statistics Month Closing and Awarding Ceremony at the National Museum of the Philippines in Iloilo City on October 25.
This year’s National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration featured the theme “Advancing Data and Statistics through Digital Transformation: A Road to an Empowered Nation.” UPV StatSoc marked the event by hosting a variety of activities, including the region-wide Statistiktok and E-Poster contests for high school students in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority Region 6 (PSA 6).
The organization also led various statistics-related initiatives such as Stat-Shirt Day, free statistics consultations, the Statcasm meme competition, and a three-part series on AI and statistics in digital marketing in collaboration with Rethink Data. Additional highlights included weekly information drives, Stat Facts, and Stat Data Blunders.
UPV StatSoc also co-hosted the Western Visayas Junior High School Regional Statistics Quiz on October 17 with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc. Region 6 Chapter (PSAI 6), adding to their significant contributions to the NSM celebration.
This range of activities helped UPV StatSoc secure the award, which is the highest honor for an agency or organization that contributes substantially to the region’s NSM observance through diverse activities.
The “Best NSM Agency” recognition is based on criteria such as the variety of statistical activities conducted, participation at regional and national levels, volunteerism, and the sharing of resources and expertise.
Mary Arnelyn Andres, the current president of UPV StatSoc, accepted the award on behalf of the organization. She expressed gratitude and attributed the achievement to the hard work of the executive committee, advisers Mr. Jaser John Dago-oc and Prof. Leah Araneta, the UPV Statistics faculty, and the UPV Statistical Society members.
“To my StatSoc family, this achievement is because of you, for you, and in service to you,” Andres said.
Established in 1990, National Statistics Month aims to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of statistics in society. This initiative, highlighted by Presidential Proclamation No. 647 issued by President Corazon Aquino, seeks to enhance awareness and support for improving statistical standards nationwide. (Written by Mr. Phil Liam Nono)
