The National Statistics Month (NSM) has been traditionally observed nationwide by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month,” issued on September 20, 1990 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed and affected millions of lives worldwide at an unprecedented rate, to the point of paralyzing the smallest of families to the biggest of nations. With lockdowns and community quarantine measures imposed, mobility has become restricted, resulting in a reduction in employment across all sectors. This has harmed the livelihood of millions of Filipinos and, ultimately, disrupted the country’s momentum towards achieving its economic targets.

With the challenges and negative impacts of the pandemic in mind, the 32nd National Statistics Month adopts the theme – “NSM@32: Revving up for Economic and Social Recovery Through Evidence-Based Policies.” This 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 theme accentuates the importance of statistics as a basis for policy decisions to address the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19. It emphasizes that using relevant statistics as solid evidence will guide and support the nation’s efforts in navigating the pandemic towards socioeconomic recovery.

In these uncertain times, the relevance and adequacy of information and statistics are crucial particularly in the close monitoring of COVID-19 active cases, recoveries, and deaths, and in identifying the group of people qualified for government financial aid. Decisions must be anchored on good official statistics.

As the situation eases, relevant and timely statistics play an important role in crafting better policies to steer socioeconomic recovery to include creating employment and other economic opportunities.

The NSM is aimed to (a) promote, enhance, and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and (b) elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

In the observance of the NSM celebration, all government agencies are enjoined to undertake some activities for October in line with this year’s theme. It can be of any of the following but not limited to the symposium, workshop, conference, exhibit, lecture, slogan/essay/oratorical contest, etc. Hanging of Streamer is also encourage/required in their respective offices as a sign of support/cooperation for this one-month-long celebration.

Statistical data is the lifeblood of the government in decisions and policymaking to providing effective and efficient Public Service, and our Stakeholders’ involvement in our programs and activities will help make statistics a reliable tool for a better quality of life. Thus “attaining our Ambisyon Natin 2040 vision where no one is poor”.

This year’s celebration will be hosted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the opening ceremony and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for the closing ceremony.