Cebu City, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority - Cebu Provincial Statistical Office (PSA-Cebu) hosted the Dissemination Forum on the 2023 Full Year Poverty Statistics on December 17, 2024. Held at the Cebu Business Hotel in Cebu City, the event also reached a wider audience via Facebook Live and Google Meet. Representatives from local government units (LGUs), specifically from City or Municipal Planning Development Offices, and media partners from Sunstar, CCTN, Bombo Radyo, CDN, and The Manila Times attended the forum.

The event began with a warm welcome from PSA-Cebu Statistical Analyst Beverly C. Medalle, followed by an inspirational message delivered by Engr. Ariel E. Florendo, the Regional Director of PSA Region 7. The discussions were enriched by presentations from prominent speakers, who shared insights into the latest poverty statistics and methodologies:

Highlights of the 2023 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) – Cebu: Presented by Engr. Leopoldo P. Alfanta Jr., Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA 7.

Official Poverty Estimation Methodology: Discussed by Lyndon Gerardo C. Suico, Supervising Statistical Specialist from PSA-Cebu.

2023 Full Year Poverty Statistics of Cebu, Including Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs): Delivered by Melchor B. Bautista, Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA-Cebu.

The forum also featured insights from key resource speakers representing Province of Cebu and Highly Urbanized Cities. Kirly L. Deran, Planning Officer III of the CPDO-Mandaue City, Mercedita C. Coca, Project Evaluation Officer IV of the PPDO-Province of Cebu, and Economist Fernando Fajardo of Cebu City shared their reflections and statements based on the results of the 2023 poverty statistics.

Discussions during the forum emphasized the implications of the latest poverty data on policymaking and development planning across the province and its highly urbanized cities. Participants highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making to address poverty effectively and improve the quality of life for Cebu’s residents.

This successful forum underscores PSA-Cebu’s commitment to transparency and collaboration with stakeholders in the fight against poverty. By disseminating accurate and timely statistical data, the agency continues to play a crucial role in fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development in Cebu.

For more information on the upcoming events and how to get involved, please contact the Cebu Provincial Statistical Office’s Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/PSACebu and via email at cebu@psa.gov.ph , or call us at 412-1337 or 255-8573.

MELCHOR B. BAUTISTA
Chief Statistical Specialist

AGD / MAVN