The local government units (LGUs) of Quezon and Guimaras have recognized statistics as a key tool in addressing issues and developing programs that contribute to the growth of their localities and their people.
Both LGUs received recognition in the 2023 National Statistics Awards from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon was awarded for the "Best Statistical Activity Conducted by a Government Organization" for its "Provincial Multi-Sectoral Statistics Symposium," while Guimaras was recognized as the "Best Local Government Unit Advocate for Statistics."
In an interview on DILG sa DZRH Breaktime, Guimaras Governor Joaquin Carlos Rahman Nava emphasized that all sectors, especially the youth, are involved in their statistical programs.
Nava shared that they conduct activities such as statistics quizzes and the Guimaras Research Conference, spearheaded by Guimaras State University. Here, participants present their research to "promote the importance of research in the province."
The governor explained that the initiative originally stemmed from the Provincial Product Accounts (PPA).
"It guided Guimaras in its decision-making. Yung mga setting ng mga programs natin," said Nava.
He highlighted that all decision-making is data-driven, with decisions being "statistically significant," providing them with "a lot of information."
"It’s one important set of economic statistics or data, important on how will you make approach for economic plans for one locality. Before kasi walang economic stats available sa local government we always depend on the national level," he noted.
Furthermore, Nava said that statistical results will help monitor Guimaras' mango industry, the province’s top product, famously named "the sweetest mango in the world." Through statistics, the LGU can create specific plans for the mango industry.
Nava also recognized the DILG's Seal of Good Local Governance Program (SGLG) as a data-driven assessment system. "If you think on and really look into the value of data then SGLG is one thing that can do it for all local government units," he added.
On the other hand, Jo Maurice Salonga, Environmental Planner of Quezon and a representative of the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (OPPDC) shared one of their best practices, the "Provincial Multi-Sectoral Statistics Symposium."
This program began in 2002 as part of the LGU’s initiative to celebrate National Statistics Month.
"Noong dumating po ang aming governor when she came to office mayroon siyang ipinahayag na commitment. Her aspiration for Quezon province through what we call the HEALING Agenda," said Salonga.
According to Salonga, "HEALING" stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, Livelihood, Infrastructure, Nature and tourism, and Good governance. The National Statistics Month provided the LGU with a venue to communicate the governor's commitment.
Quezon’s LGU invited several resource persons from national government agencies to discuss national statistics related to the health agenda, aimed at providing data on current government programs.
Salonga added that they had just concluded the most recent "Multi-Sectoral Statistics Symposium", which focused on digitization and technology to enhance decision-making through data collection and analysis.
"Ang intention po namin for the years to come is to religiously conduct it dahil maganda po ang epekto nito sa aming lalawigan,"Salonga proudly stated.
For these two LGUs, statistics and data analysis have not only garnered awards but have also made a significant impact on the lives of their people.
"Kung may maganda tayong datos ay mas maganda at matututunan natin ng mas maayos na programa yung ating lalawigan at mas magaganda ang maibabahagi natin para sa ating mga kababayan," Salonga remarked.
