The Regional Statistical Committee (RSC) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) hosted the 29th National Statistics Month Celebration on October 3, 2018 at Oasis Country Resort Hotel, San Fernando City, La Union.

ln the said event, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Evangeline Dadat on behalf of Regional Director Martin S. Valera of Department of Tourism Region I (DOT-ROl) imparted the significance of statistics in data gathering, planning, policy and decision making of the counlry recognizing Statistics' major role to uplift various sectors of society and to ensure prosperity and economic progress.

According to DOT Senior Trainer Monika Aliguas N. Labaupa, the country's total tourist arrivals in 2017 were recorded at 6.62 million visitors which is 11.1 percent higher than in 2016. Consequently, the tourism industry contributed 12.2 percent to the Philippine economy in 2017 and there were 5.3 million people employed in the tourism industry for the same year. With this, Labaupa emphasized the importance of sustainable and responsible tourism and its significant contribution to the economy.

Moreover, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Statistical Specialist ll Zenaida L. Garcillian presented the 2016 Household Survey on Domestic Visitor (HSDV).Based on the preliminary results of HSDV 2016 jointly conducted by PSA and DOT, there were 42 million domestic travelers within the country from April to September 30, 2016. About 99 percent of them arranged their trips independently and less than one percent availed at least one domestic package tour. Each domestic traveler made two trips, on average, five nights stay. Female domestic travelers were higher than males with a ratio of 93 males for every 100 females. The median age of domestic travelers was 34 years old, about 52 percent of them were below 35 years old.

In the recently conducted Regional Jingle Singing Contest for the secondary level, Calasiao Comprehensive NHS from Pangasinan emerged as Champion; Lussoc National Highschool from llocos Sur, '1st Runner Up; Don Eulogio De Guzman MNHS from La Union, 2nd Runner Up and llocos Norte Regional School of Fisheries, 3rd Runner Up; for the tertiary level, Kingfisher School of Business and Finance- Dagupan won as the Champion; University of Northern Philippines from llocos Sur, 1st Runner Up; Divine Word College of Laoag, 2rd Runner Up. The Champions in the said contest received a cash prize of P7,500.00 and Certificates of Recognition.

To culminate the event, Philippine Statistical Association lnc. (PSAI) Region I Chapter President Milagros Baldemor expressed her gratitude to the participants and extended her commitment to all the future endeavors of RSC.