Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Danites E. Teñido, Ph.D., Supervising Statistical Specialist (SSS) Malvin A. Quinto, Statistical Specialist II (SS II) Artemio A. Alibayan, and Statistical Analyst (SA) Mariel B. Layugan of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – La Union Provincial Statistical Office together with various stakeholders in La Union attended the hybrid Consultation Workshop with Stakeholders in the Agriculture and Fishery Sector organized by the PSA-Regional Statistical Services Office I (RSSO I) on February 22, 2023 at J & V Hotel and Resort, City of San Fernando, La Union.

The PSA is the agency that estimates and generates the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) as stipulated under Republic Act 10625. The value of production in agriculture and fisheries serves as input in the estimation of GDP and GRDP, particularly the Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture and fishery. It also provides the policy makers and planners with comprehensive information on the accomplishments of agriculture and fishery sector during an accounting period. 

The conduct of the Consultation Workshop with Stakeholders in the Agriculture and Fishery Sector is a preparatory activity of Ilocos Region and its respective provinces (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and La Union) in the creation of the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) from 2018 to 2022. The consultation workshop primarily aimed to solicit inputs related to the valuation of production in agriculture and fisheries.

The consultation workshop kicked-off with the welcome remarks of Atty. Sheila O. De Guzman, the Regional Director (RD) of PSA-RSSO I. It was followed by the message delivered online by Assistant National Statistician Vivian R. Ilarina of Macroenomic Accounts Service (MAS). SSS Teresa B. Olarte of Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (SOCD) of RSSO I presented the objectives and expected outputs of the workshop. The objectives of the workshop were: to provide an overview of the PPA and the Value of Production in Agriculture and Fisheries at the regional and provincial level; to solicit inputs on the identification of commodities to be highlighted for each province in Ilocos Region; and to discuss the issues and concerns related to agricultural statistics and provide recommendations to the identified issues. Moreover, Statistical Specialist I (SS I) Shiloh Carah E. Pihoc of the Subnational Economic Accounts Division presented the overview of the PPA. During her discussion, she mentioned that by 2025, the PPA is envisioned to be institutionalize in all provinces of the 17 regions in the country including the Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs). Lastly, Senior Statistical Specialist (SrSS) Reynante A. Santos of the Agricultural Accounts Division presented on the overview of the value of production in agriculture and fisheries in the province and region. The presentation included: report on value of production in agriculture and fisheries; scope and coverage that focuses in the measurement of the whole sector (agriculture) and its sub-commodity groups (crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries); data requirements and sources; valuation procedures; provinces covered; ilocos region highlighted commodities; agriculture and fisheries in Ilocos Region; and volume of production in agriculture and fisheries in the provinces.

A workshop followed after the presentations. Before the end of the activity, the stakeholders’ consolidated outputs were presented by each province’s representatives which cover answers to questions related to crops, fisheries, and livestock and poultry statistics.

The activity was formally concluded by CSS Juanito Y. Yabes of PSA RSSO I – SOCD who thanked the participants for attending the activity that led to an interactive and fruitful workshop.

The consultative workshop served as an avenue to gather information and to raise issues and concerns pertaining to crops, fisheries, and livestock and poultry statistics from various agencies that would facilitate data gathering from said commodities.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

/MBL

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