True to its vision to reach out to every sector of society and making statistics available and accessible at the grassroots level, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Aklan launched the Satellite National Statistical Information Center (NSIC) in Aklan located at the 2nd floor of the Provincial Capitol in Kalibo on May 19, 2011. This is the fifth provincial statistical information center established in Region 6, completing all the provincial NSICs in Western Visayas. Aside from these provincial statistical information centers, there are ten NSICs in the country, one in Metro Manila, and nine in regional centers. These NSICs operate as the public service arm of the NSCB and serves as a gateway to Philippine statistics of both local and international data users.
During the launching program, NSCB Secretary General Romulo A. Virola and Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez led the ribbon cutting ceremonies and in the unveiling of the NSIC Mission Statement. Rev. Fr. Jose Relente officiated the blessing of the newest NSIC in Region 6 and in the country. The event was attended by socio-political leaders of the Province of Aklan and representatives from various government agencies and academe. OIC Vice Governor Jose Enrique M. Miraflores delivered the welcome remarks while Ms. Lorna T. Cawaling of the Aklan Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) acknowledged the guests who attended the event. NSCB Director Candido J. Astrologo, Jr. presented the NSIC concept to include its rationale, products and services.
In his message, Secretary General Virola who was introduced by Ms. Presentation A. Penpillo, NSCB Consultant for Region 6, thanked the provincial government of Aklan thru the leadership of Governor Marquez for their interest and initiatives to establish a satellite NSIC in their province. He highlighted the importance of statistics saying that these statistics when properly used and analyzed, should be able to help discover our strengths and our weaknesses allowing us to formulate appropriate strategies that will prepare our communities to face the challenges and opportunities of the Third Millennium. He posed challenges among Aklanons to continue enriching the statistical database of the province to include data at the barangay level; the challenge to promote statistical awareness and appreciation so that these databases can be accessible to everyone not only from all points of Aklan, but nationwide and even worldwide; the challenge for the private sector in Aklan to do its share as a development partner of the government by providing accurate responses to our surveys and censuses; the challenge for both government and the private sector to optimize the use of these data for the sustained betterment of the quality of life of the Aklanons; and lastly, the challenge for the leaders of Aklan to continue to invest in information, to continue to invest in statistics.
After his message, Secretary General Virola turned over the Key of Responsibility to Governor Marquez who enthusiastically accepted the key of responsibility.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Marquez acknowledged the importance of statistics in policy and program formulation in addressing specific problems faced by their province. He mentioned some of their initiatives, particularly on agriculture, employment, infrastructure, and tourism, which he believes would help in reducing poverty. However, he was surprised to learn that based on the latest poverty statistics released by the NSCB, Aklan belongs to top provinces with high poverty incidence, despite the interventions they have done for the province. He stressed that the government of Aklan under his leadership did their best to provide efficient social services for their people. He said that he does not doubt the credibility of government statisticians but the methodology and process in conducting surveys on poverty maybe inaccurate and may not reflect the true situation of their province. In closing, Governor Marquez responded to the challenges that come with the establishment and operationalization of a satellite NSIC in his province.
Part of the program was the launching of the Special Edition of the 2011 Countryside in Figures for the Province of Aklan the highlights of which were presented by Ms. Nelida B. Losare, OIC Head of the NSCB Regional Division 6. The closing remarks was delivered by Engr. Roger M. Esto, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) of Aklan who thanked everyone for attending the ceremonies especially those who helped and assisted them in making the said event a success.
