NEDA Regional Office in Western Visayas (NRO VI) personnel including representatives from local government units, regional agencies and academic institutions joined the kick-off ceremony of the 29th National Statistics Month (NSM) in the region on October 4. The kick-off started with the conduct of a motorcade around Iloilo City that ended at the Robinsons Place Jaro Activity Center where the opening program was held.
The 29th NSM celebration this year is anchored on the theme, “Exploring Philippine Wonders in Numbers: Statistics towards Sustainable Tourism Development”. It reflects the relevance of statistics in achieving a sustainable and progressive tourism industry in our country and also emphasizes the need for statistics to identify potential tourism havens and areas which require intervention.
In line with the theme’s objectives, keynote speaker, Ms. Manette T. Reyes, OIC of the Statistics Economic Analysis and Information Management Division of the Department of Tourism (DOT) presented the country’s tourism performance for the last three years and underscored the significant contribution of Western Visayas in developing the tourism sector.
One of the highlights of the activity was the opening of the Statistical Exhibit that will run until October 26, which showcases the display boards of participating agencies that feature data and information related to the theme.
In support of this nationwide celebration, the NEDA, as chairperson of the Regional Statistical Committee or RSC, will spearhead the training on statistics based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for sustainable tourism on October 22-24 and Western Visayas junior high school statistics quiz on October 26.
The NSM is annually being observed nationwide since 2002 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as the National Statistics Month,” to promote, enhance, and instill awareness and appreciation of the importance and value of statistics in planning and decision-making by both government and private sectors.
