To kick off the month-long celebration, a motorcade was conducted along the streets of Zamboanga City leading to Centro Latino, Paseo del Mar for the Opening Ceremony. The motorcade started promptly at 9:30AM with participants coming from the Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), and the Academe bringing their vehicles in support of the NSM celebration and to help raise awareness on the important role that statistics plays in ensuring sustainable development.

 

The opening ceremony was highlighted by the presentations of tourism and ecotourism in the region. Regional Statistics Committee (RSC) chair and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office IX OIC Regional Director Phlorita A. Ridao delivered the opening remarks and said that the theme outlines the important role of statistics in helping to identify potential sustainable tourism haven and areas that require intervention.  She said that with the rapid development of information and communications technology coupled by more affordable transportation cost, more people are getting interested to travel with friends and family.  She added that this was reflected in the crafting of AmbisyonNatin 2040, a long-term vision of Filipinos for themselves and the country for the next 25 years, where the vision is:

 

“In 2040, we will all enjoy a stable and comfortable lifestyle, secure in the knowledge that we have enough for our daily needs and unexpected expenses, that we can plan and prepare for our own and our children’s future. Our family lives together in a place of our own, and we have the freedom to go where we desire, protected and enabled by a clean, efficient, and fair government.”

 

Meanwhile, in her message, Ms. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism (DOT) IX emphasized the importance of statistics towards the sustainable tourism development. The Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Office IX was the host agency for the opening event.

 

PSA RSSO IX Regional Director Dr. Mewchun WS. Pamaran offered a message of thanks to everyone for once again making the opening ceremonies of the National Statistics Month a successful one and for the support given the Philippine Statistical System through the years.

 

This year’s NSM is the 29th of the series which originated in 1990 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647 signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino on September 20, 1990, declaring the month of October of every year as the National Statistics Month. The month-long celebration is observed to promote, enhance and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics to the different sectors of society; and elicit cooperation and support of the general public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country. (Ric Mark Anthony B. Garcia, Information Officer, PSA IX)