Cebu City, Philippines – The 35th National Statistics Month (NSM) commenced on October 1, 2024, with a vibrant motorcade organized by the Cebu City Civil Registrar's Office in coordination with the Cebu Provincial Statistical Office. Spearheaded by City Civil Registrar, Atty. Evangeline T. Abatayo, the organizer of the event, the motorcade started at the Cebu City Hall and wound through the city’s main streets, setting the tone for a month-long celebration of the importance of statistics in governance, development, and decision-making.

The motorcade was followed by a brief but meaningful program at the City Hall, beginning with a warm welcome message from Chief Statistical Specialist, Leopoldo Alfanta, Jr. He opened the event by highlighting the theme of this year’s celebration, stressing the importance of accurate, timely, and reliable statistics in addressing both national and local concerns. CSS Alfanta also provided a brief history of National Statistics Month, tracing its roots back to its inception in 1990 as an annual event promoting awareness and appreciation of statistics in all sectors of society. In his address, CSS Alfanta delved into the current statistical landscape in Cebu, focusing on the province’s ongoing statistical operations, including the 2024 Population Census (POPCEN) and the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS). He emphasized how these efforts aim to collect valuable data to support evidence-based policies and programs that respond to the needs of local communities.

Following the Chief Statistical Specialist’s message, Information Officer I, Mary Clare Coronado, presented vital statistical data gathered over the past year. Her discussion centered on partial results of registered births in Cebu, disaggregated by sex, providing insights into population trends in the province. She emphasized the role of vital statistics in helping local leaders and policymakers make data-driven decisions for resource allocation, public health, and social services. Administrative Assistant II Harjiee Mariano then took the stage to expand the discussion on vital statistics, sharing data on registered marriages and deaths in Cebu over the last year. These figures, he explained, offer a snapshot of the demographic changes shaping the province’s development and can guide policies on family planning, health services, and social welfare programs.

To further enrich the event, Supervising Statistical Specialist, Lyndon Gerardo Suico provided an informative message about the various upcoming activities that PSA-Cebu will throughout the celebration of National Statistics Month. He outlined several exciting events planned for October, including seminars, public forums, and collaborative activities with educational institutions and local government units aimed at fostering greater awareness of the role of statistics in everyday life. In the spirit of engagement, a trivia game was conducted, featuring questions related to statistics and the day's discussions. Participants eagerly joined the contest, with the lucky winners taking home special prizes, adding a fun and interactive element to the event.

The program concluded with a heartfelt closing message from Acting Mayor Hon. Raymund Alvin N. Garcia. The Acting Mayor expressed his gratitude to the Cebu Provincial Statistical Office, the City Civil Registrar’s Office, and all the personnel involved in organizing the event. He proudly acknowledged their efforts in promoting statistical literacy and contributing to Cebu’s governance and development. Acting Mayor Garcia also took the opportunity to reflect on his four months as the Acting Mayor of Cebu City, highlighting the city’s accomplishments under his leadership. He emphasized the importance of continuing to use data-driven approaches to guide the city’s progress, from infrastructure projects to social programs.

The Cebu Provincial Statistical Office and the Cebu City Civil Registrar’s Office expressed their deep appreciation to everyone who participated in the event and invited the public to take part in the various activities scheduled throughout October in celebration of National Statistics Month.

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.

SGD 

MELCHOR B. BAUTISTA
Chief Statistical Specialist