The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) IX conducted the 2017 Updating of List of Aquaculture Farms (ULAF) 2^nd Level Training last September 21-22, 2017 at LM Metro Hotel, Zamboanga City. The trainers for this activity were Mr. George B. Serilla, Statistical Specialist II of PSA-Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (SOCD) IX and Ms. Sesenia C. Belorio, Supervising Statistical Specialist of PSA-Zamboanga del Norte. Moreover, the two-day activity was attended by the OIC of Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (SOCD) IX, SOCD IX staff and focal persons of each province including Zamboanga City.

The training aimed to reorient and refresh the PSA personnel on the concepts and definitions of Aquaculture that will be used in the conduct of the ULAF. Moreover, topics such as organization and processes of the 2017 ULAF operations were presented as well as the different forms and materials to be used. During the presentation of the topics, the trainers emphasized the need to update the list of Aquaculture farms since the existing list is already outdated. Dr. Mewchun WS. Pamaran, the Regional Director of PSA RSSO IX in her inspirational message further emphasized the importance of an updated sampling frame in the agricultural surveys to support PSA’s thrust towards achieving quality statistics necessary for evidence-based decisions.

This training was followed by a 3^rd level training which was conducted simultaneously in the different Provincial Statistics Offices on September 26-27, 2017. It was attended by the hired Statistical Researchers and Team Supervisors and the trainers for the said training were the focal persons of each province. Afterwards, the hired field personnel will be dispatched to their respective Enumeration Areas (EA) on October 2, 2017, and is expected to complete the activity within forty (40) days.