BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The country’s statistical agencies are now consolidated into one body called the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) in efforts to streamline statistical operations for better delivery of public service.
The National Statistics Office (NSO), National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) and the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) are lumped under the PSA by virtue of Republic Act 10625, also known as the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations took effect on December 29, 2013.
NSCB regional head Benjamin Navarro, in a recent meeting of the Regional Social Development Committee, said the a National Statistician who will head the PSA shall be appointed by the President from a list of nominees submitted by a Special Committee and endorsed by the PSA Board Chairperson.
The PSA for the time being is headed by Interim National Statistician Lina V. Castro. She is assisted by two interim Deputy National Statisticians in the person of Mr. Romeo Recide and Ms. Paula Monica Collado. They will oversee the transition and reorganization processes for the full merger of four agencies.
In the meantime, Navarro said that in the Cordillera Region, the public can still address their communications to NSO-CAR Director Olivia Gulla regarding concerns about civil registry documents or results of surveys conducted by the NSO.
For concerns on agricultural statistics, communications can be addressed to Director Juanito Yabes of the BAS.
For concerns poverty statistics, Gross Domestic Products, the public should contact NSCB-CAR.
