Cebu City, Philippines – The Philippine Statistics Authority - Cebu Provincial Statistical Office (PSA-Cebu) successfully conducted the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) Dissemination Forum on the 2023 Economic Performance of the Province of Cebu, City of Cebu, City of Lapu-Lapu, and City of Mandaue on 28 November 2024 at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, Cebu City. The forum was held in a hybrid format, with participants joining both in-person and via Facebook Live and Google Meet.

The event brought together representatives from various sectors, including government agencies, the academe, local government units (LGUs), and the media, to discuss the economic trends and performance of Cebu and its highly urbanized cities. The forum began with two welcoming messages. The first was a message from Engr. Ariel E. Florendo, Regional Director of PSA Regional Statistical Services Office 7. This was followed by a message prepared by Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the PSA, which was delivered on his behalf by Arline D. Dimafelix, Senior Statistical Specialist of the PSA Central Office.

The presentation of the highlights of the 2023 Provincial Product Accounts followed. Chief Statistical Specialist Melchor B. Bautista of the PSA Cebu Provincial Statistical Office presented the economic performance of the Province of Cebu. Meanwhile, Chief Statistical Specialist Leopoldo P. Alfanta Jr. of PSA Regional Statistical Services Office 7 discussed the economic performance of the City of Cebu, City of Lapu-Lapu, and City of Mandaue. Both presentations provided valuable insights into growth trends, economic contributions, and sectoral performance over the past year.

Statements and insights were also provided by resource speakers who shared their perspectives on the economic performance of Cebu Province and its highly urbanized cities. The speakers included Kirly L. Deran, Planning Officer III of CPDO-Mandaue City, Ronnie N. Veloso, Planning Officer IV of CPDO-Lapu-Lapu City, Mercedita C. Coca, Project Evaluation Officer IV of PPDO-Province of Cebu, and Neil Andrew U. Menjares, Chief Economic Development Specialist of the Policy Formulation and Planning Division, NEDA 7.

The event concluded with Supervising Statistical Specialist Lyndon Gerardo C. Suico of the PSA Cebu Provincial Statistical Office delivering the closing remarks. He thanked participants for their active engagement and support in disseminating vital economic data. This forum emphasized the importance of Provincial Product Accounts as a tool for measuring economic performance, providing a clear and comprehensive picture of Cebu's economy to aid policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public in data-driven decision-making.

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 / LGCS