There were three main presentations for the closing program. Dr. Ferdinand Abocejo, a professor of Cebu Normal University (CNU), presented the Philippine Statistical System (PSS). The PSS is a government-wide system of providing statistical information and services to the public. Dr. Abocejo shared the structure, the policy-making and coordinating body, data producers, data providers/respondents, Statistical Training, Education and Research Institutions and its objectives. Ms. Ma. Cristina Biglang-awa, Statistical Specialist II of PSA RSSO VII presented the background and survey results on the 2017 Cost and Return of Tomato. Lastly, a presentation on the 2015 Vital Statistics results was shared by Mr. Joseph Jim Abadingo, Statistical Specialist II of PSA RSSO VII. He presented the statistics of Birth, Marriage and Death in the Philippines and Central Visayas including the age and sex distribution. He also shared some trivia on birth, marriage and death of 2015.
A short video presentation on various NSM activities conducted by other partner government agencies, academe and the private sector was shown. To lighten up the program, Mr. Stanish Lobite, a CRS personnel of PSA RSSO VII, entertained the audience with various song numbers, few of which are his original composition.
An open forum followed of which some questions were asked to the three resource persons by the attendees. One of the questions raised was from Ms. Minerva D. Yap of DTI. She asked why the vital statistics data disseminated seems obsolete like two years after. Mr. Abadingo answered that PSA cannot just simply release data without further review. The closing remarks was delivered by Engr. Leopoldo P. Alfanta, Jr., Chief Statistical Specialist of the Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (SOCD) of PSA RSSO VII. Engr. Alfanta expressed his gratitude to BSP Cebu Regional Office for their unending support by providing the venue and provision. He also thanked the resource persons for responding to his request despite the short notice and to all who attended the event.
The program hosted by Mr. Noel N. Rafols, Information Officer of PSA RSSO VII.