The Philippine Statistics Authority IX conducted the Press Launch on the Roll Out of the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) on 09 August 2022 (Tuesday) at 10:30 AM at the Function Hall of PSA IX. The Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) as a statistical activity entails a census of households undertaken by the local government units (LGUs) with the participation of the community using accelerated poverty profiling systems in the data. Data that will be generated in the CBMS are the compendium of localized facts, figures, and maps on the different dimensions of poverty such as health, nutrition, water, sanitation, shelter, education, income, employment, security, and participation.

The press launch was well attended by different stakeholders from the regional line agencies, state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government unit (LGU), and the media. The program started with the opening prayer followed by the singing of the national anthem and the Zamboanga hermosa hymn. Ms. Gemelie B. Natividad, PSA IX CBMS personnel served as the master of ceremony. The opening message was delivered by Ms. Ma. Flerida E. Tan, PSA IX OIC – SOCD Chief. Ms. Tan expressed her optimism for the success of the CBMS roll out and reiterated that the said undertaking is a collaborative effort from different partner agencies. A video message of Usec. Dennis S. Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of PSA was played thanking the participants for joining in the CBMS roll out. NS Mapa stressed that this event will change the course of evidence-based decision making and local governance. He hoped that all households will participate in the 2022 CBMS Rollout. Meanwhile a video message of Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian who was one of the proponents of the CBMS Law was also played congratulating the PSA-led CBMS which will be operational in some cities and municipalities across the country. Senator Gatchalian said that this undertaking will enable the government to produce critical data needed to tackle poverty reduction and the promotion of socio-economic development.

A message of support from the partner agencies was given by Ms. Angelita E. Centillas, Local Government Operations Officer III representing Regional Director Paizal Abutazil of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Mr Aris D. Austria, Officer-In-Charge Regional Director/Administration and Finance Division Chief representing Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa M. Camba of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) IX. An open forum followed to give the participants the opportunity to ask questions or clarifications. The dignitaries comprised of Mr. Conrad E. Sontillano, OIC CRASD Chief, PSA IX, Ms. Ma. Flerida E. Tan, OIC SOCD Chief, PSA IX, Mr. Ric Mark Anthony B. Garcia, Region IX Focal Person of CBMS, Ms Angelita E. Centillas, Local Government Operations Officer of DILG IX, and Mr. Aris B. Austria, OIC Regional Director/Administration Finance Division. All questions, issues and concerns were addressed by the dignitaries. The program concluded with the closing message of Mr. Conrad E. Sontillano, OIC CRASD Chief, PSA IX imparting the significance of data in our everyday lives.