The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) IX, headed by the Regional Director Ma’am Mewchun WS. Pamaran was the lead agency for the Opening Ceremony of the 27th National Statistics Month (NSM) with the theme: “Sustainable Development: Making Statistics Count”. The National Statistics Month is an annual national celebration which aims to promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society and to elicit the cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

To kick-off the month-long celebration, a motorcade was conducted along the streets of Zamboanga City going to Centro Latin, Paseo del Mar for the Opening Ceremony. The motorcade started at 9:00AM and was participated by numerous vehicles representing different government agencies. This year’s Opening Ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of the 2015 Population Counts by RD Pamaran. It was then commended by the Keynote Speaker Mr. Cesar Jimenez Jr., Executive Assistant of the City Mayor’s Office.

The different agencies, schools and private companies joined the celebration by coming up with different activities like hanging of the NSM streamers in their respective locations and statistical camp/exhibit among others. In the same manner, the PSA IX also conducted several activities during the month-long celebration among which was the education tour to the Century Pacific Foods Incorporated and visitation to the Home for the Elderly.  This was also in line with the observance of the “National Elderly Week”. In addition, a week of statistical exhibit back-to-back with a BREQS Outlet was organized at City Mall – Tetuan, Zamboanga City to showcase the products and services being offered in the office. Customers of the mall may be able to have a glimpse of the data being gathered through the surveys and censuses being conducted. The others may also apply for their security paper (SECPA) documents such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate and certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR).

The culmination of the 27th NSM happened at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Multipurpose Hall, BSP Zamboanga Branch. It was participated by agencies, schools and private companies. Ms. Susan Valerio, Division Chief of NEDA IX presented the ZamPen Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 Formulation Process and AmBisyon Natin 2040. She emphasized the need for accurate/updated data/statistics in all phases of development – planning, programming, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation. Moreover, RD Mewchun WS. Pamaran of PSA IX also presented the Vital Role of Civil Registration in Local Governance for Sustainable Development.

On the afternoon, a poster-making contest was conducted at the PSA RSSO IX. There were four schools that participated to this event. It was an avenue for the students to be able to exhibit their talents and skills in interpreting the theme of the 27th NSM. (Ric Mark Anthony Garcia/SOCD)