The Regional Statistics Committee 1 (RSC 1) spearheaded the month-long celebration of the 30^th National Statistics Month (NSM) in Ilocos Region in October 2019 with the theme, “Data Innovation: Key to a Better Nation.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas – La Union Regional Office (BSP – LURO) hosted the 30^th NSM Opening Ceremony held on October 8, 2019 that was participated by Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and the Academe.

To showcase various statistical data through brochures, flyers, leaflets and infographics, the Regional Statistical Exhibit was set up from October 8 to 30, 2019 at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus, City of San Fernando, La Union.

Moreover, the Philippine Statistics Authority - Regional Statistical Services Office I (PSA-RSSO I) organized two symposia to bring statistics and civil registration closer to the youth.  The first statistical symposium was held at the Regional Science High School, Bangar, La Union on October 9, 2019 participated by senior high school students and their teachers.  The other one was conducted at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC), Agoo, La Union on October 23, 2019 participated by first year and second year BS Mathematics students.  PSA-RSSO I also conducted a Training on Basic Statistics on October 14 to 15, 2019 to refresh selected regional and provincial personnel on basic concepts in statistics. 

Various statistical competitions highlighted the 30^th NSM celebration in the region starting with the Regional Jingle Making Contest conducted during the NSM Opening Ceremony that added color to the event.  Other contests, that included the essay writing, poster – slogan making, and statistics quiz, were done simultaneously on October 18, 2019 at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office I (DA-RFO I), City of San Fernando, La Union.  Meanwhile, the oratorical contest was held at the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office 1 (NEDA-RO1), City of San Fernando, La Union on the same date. These activities were participated by the provincial champions from the secondary and tertiary level, while the essay writing included the employee category.

Furthermore, the RSC 1, in collaboration with the Philippine Statistical Association Inc. (PSAI), conducted the Regional Statistical Conference on October 24, 2019 at Oasis Country Resort, City of San Fernando, La Union.  The activity aimed to gather statisticians, planning officers and statistics advocates in the region for them to get updated on latest statistics and statistical-related developments in the country.   Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, PSAI National President, served as keynote speaker and stressed in her talk the importance of partnership in meeting our aspirations. In the afternoon, Dr. Irenea B. Ubungen, PSAI Ilocos Chapter President, led the general assembly.

The month-long celebration culminated during the Regional Closing Ceremony held on October 29, 2019 at DA-RFO I, City of San Fernando, La Union. Aside from the RLAs, LGUs, and academic institutions, media organizations across the region also participated in the event. As part of the closing ceremony, Regional Champions for the various statistical competitions and provinces that participated in the Search for the Best 30^th NSM Province Implementer were awarded.  Moreover, media organizations were recognized thru the PSA Media Award as appreciation for their continuous support to PSA activities.

Below are the schools that bagged the championship for the 30^th NSM Regional Statistical Contests:

Regional Jingle Singing Contests

     Secondary – Don Eulogio De Guzman Memorial National High School (La Union)

     Tertiary – University of Northern Philippines (Ilocos Sur)

Regional Essay Writing Contest

     Secondary – Vigan National High School West (Ilocos Sur)

     Tertiary – DMMMSU – SLUC (La Union)

     Employee – Northern Christian College (Ilocos Norte)

Regional Poster – Slogan Making Contests

     Secondary – Alaminos City National High School (Pangasinan)

     Tertiary – Pangasinan State University (Pangasinan)

Regional Oratorical Contest

     Secondary – Benigno V. Aldana national High School (Pangasinan)

     Tertiary – University of Northern Philippines (Ilocos Sur)

Regional Statistical Quiz

     Secondary – Colegio San Jose de Alaminos (Pangasinan)

     Tertiary – Saint Louis College (La Union)

The province of Pangasinan once again emerged as the Best NSM Province Implementer in Ilocos Region.  Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Ilocos Norte ranked 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd runners-up respectively.

In her closing remarks, Atty. Sheila O. De Guzman, Officer-in-Charge of PSA-RSSO I, thanked everyone for their support and contribution to the month-long celebration. She was confident that the objectives to enhance, instill awareness and appreciate the value of statistics to the different sectors of society in upgrading the quality of statistics in the region was achieved.

SGD. ATTY. SHEILA O. DE GUZMAN

           (Chief Administrative Officer)

                 Officer-in-Charge