The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will continue the annual compilation of the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) in region 7, one of the nine pilot regions in 2022. This initiative is recognized as the more appropriate measure and assessment of the economic performance of the provinces. This is viewed as a tool to strengthen the planning and decision-making of provincial policymakers and stakeholders in crafting more informed economic policies.

To commence the 2022 PPA estimation and data collection, PSA Cebu along with other provinces in Central Visayas conducted a Refresher Training on Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) and Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) which aimed to Refresh the stakeholders on the knowledge of PPA and to harmonize data classification thru the correct usage of 2019 updates PSIC in order to speed up data collection of PPA.

On 31 March 2022, PSA Cebu successfully conducted the refresher course on PPA and PSIC. This was conducted in a hybrid platform with a total of 101 participants from the Local Government Units (LGUs) of which 51 attended physically at the venue while 50 attended virtually. However, only 48 out of 53 or 90.7 percent of LGUs had their representatives. 27 participants from PSA also attended the said activity.

The overview of PPA and PSIC, as well as the presentation of the 2019 updates to the 2009 PSIC by section, were among the highlights of this program, which included a combination of live and pre-recorded presentations, and the PPA LED template form.

Mr. Arzon Greg V. Badayos, hired Statistical Analyst of PSA Cebu presented the Overview of PPA while Ms. Cynthia A. Pohanes, Statistical Analyst, and Ms, Kathy S. Timosa, Statistical Specialist II of PSA Cebu presented selected industries that were highlighted in the PSIC.

Mr. Emerson M. Aquino, Officer-in-Charge of the Standard Classification Division of PSA Central office was one of the resource persons of the activity, he discussed and presented the overview of the 2019 updates to the 2009 PSIC and the summary of updates. He also facilitated and supervised the open forum.

Mr. Firmo C. Diputado, Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA Cebu, was greatly honored to welcome the participants in this activity, and he was optimistic that with the presence of the participants and with their enthusiasm and passion to work with PSA the objectives of the PPA will be achieved and realized. CSS Diputado ends his message with the saying from management guru Peter Drucker “Follow effective actions with quiet reflections, from that quiet reflections will come to even more effective actions.

Engr. Ariel E. Florendo, Regional Director of PSA Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) 7 also gave his encouraging message during the afternoon session. RD Florendo thanked the participants for accepting the invitations and engaging in the activity, he said the main reason why people participate in this type of activity is to improve the quality of life for all, which is why we are called public servants. RD Florendo hoped that the LGU’s collaboration would be sustained not only in this time but also in the future years because PPA will be released every year.

Engr. Leopoldo Alfanta Jr., Chief Statistical Specialist, PSA Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) 7 expressed his gratitude to both virtual and physical participants and expressed his hope that the one-day refresher activity would be a success, and that our PPA estimation would become more efficient and accurate, as the users of this data, particularly our local policymakers, rely on it.  He also highlighted that Cebu province was the first to deliver the provincial product accounts results for the 2018-2020 fiscal year on 01 December 2021. In light of this annual activity, PSA would like to seek complete cooperation from the data providers and stakeholders in the conduct of PPA activities, particularly in the submission of data. PSA is a data compiler, but the most crucial ingredient is the data, which comes from LGUs. Without data, PSA cannot complete the image of the PPA.

Prior to the workshop proper, Mr. Mamer E. Abong, hired Statistical Specialist I of PSA - RSSO 7, introduced the PPA Templates and Manual. He presented the two kinds of LGU Establishment Data (LED) forms, namely: PPA LED Form 1 (Google Sheet file) and PPA LED Form 2 (Excel file) which will be used by the PPA data providers from the LGUs in accomplishing the PPA data request. He also presented the workshop mechanics.

Mr. Jayrold Bugtai, a Computer Programmer of the City of Mandaue particularly from the Business Permit and Licensing Office, presented his workshop outputs. He used the unique Business ID number of the establishments to speed up the generation of data. He also commented on the template on how to categorize establishments that engaged in multiple lines of business.

The workshop aimed to ensure that the concerned offices of the LGUs in Cebu are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to organize their business establishments according to the 2019 updates of the 2009 PSIC for the purpose of harmonization of data from the LGUs’ as well as the compilation and estimation of yearly releasing of PPA.

The one-day refresher training was formally ended by Ms. Juanilla R. Premne, Supervising Statistical Specialist of PSA Cebu. She said that the adoption of the 2019 updates to the 2009 PSIC by the LGUs in issuing business permits will pave the way for the generation of a more disaggregated industry statistics, essentially needed for the generation of the provincial and city product accounts. Additionally, she appreciated the participants’ dedication to learn and actively participated in the training session which was vital and undoubtedly contributed to the event's success. Also, she thanked all the speakers for their valuable contributions.

(SGD.) FIRMO C. DIPUTADO
Chief Statistical Specialist