The Quarterly Survey on Philippine Business and Industry (QSPBI) is one of the designated statistical activities of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). It provides quarterly data on employment, compensation, revenue/sales and inventory for national accounts estimation. Relatedly, it aims to capture, collect and generate data for all the sectors of the economy except in agriculture sector.

The survey is one of the main sources of data in the compilation of the Quarterly National Accounts (QNA) and in the construction of the Quarterly Economic Indicators (QEI) of the PSA.

On the other hand, the Survey on Information and Communication Technology (SICT) is a biennial survey which aims to collect and generate information on the availability, distribution and access/utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among establishments in the country. It generates core ICT indicators important for measuring the progress in information and communication technology.

Central Visayas conducted the QSPBI/SICT forum on 27 February 2020 at One Central Hotel, Cebu City. It aims to improve the understanding of the sample establishments on the importance of QSPBI data as inputs in the compilation of the National Accounts of the Philippines. This undertaking serves as venue for the discussion of issues and concerns as well as innovations in accomplishing the questionnaire.

Ms. Carole A. Blanco, Chief Statistical Specialist of the Services Statistics Division (SSD) in her message gave inputs in the importance of QSPBI. The SSD is the division in charged on all operations relating to QSPBI.

CSS Blanco emphasized that strengthening partnership and linkages among sample establishments and understanding the usefulness and relevance of statistics in the economy can improve the economic statistics that paved way for the creation of plans and policy for equitable development towards improved quality of life for all.

Additional relevant information on forging partnership with private data partners were given by Mr. Dean Joseph Villanueva, Statistical Specialist II of Production Accounts Division of PSA Central Office. He presented the recent highlights of the economy and a glimpse of how the economy is measured from data collection to economic accounts.

During the forum, the online submission of the questionnaire was highly encouraged to provide real time data and reduce cost on the part of the government. Representatives from the sample establishments gave their appreciation and comments on the online submission. Issues and suggestions in accomplishing the online submission where also noted by the Central Office as their basis in enhancing the system. As innovation of the PSA, an excel file format of the questionnaire will be emailed to sample establishments as their alternative mode in accomplishing the questionnaire.

As an appreciation, a certificate and tokens were given to the sample establishments per province as acknowledgement to their invaluable support and cooperation in consistently submitting early of the survey questionnaires.