Reviewing the Philippine Statistical System

1. Backgrounder on the Review of the Philippine Statistical System Presented during the Convening Meeting of the Special Committee to Review the Philippine Statistical System on July 11, 2007 at PIDS, Makati City

2. The PSS and Its Set Up 1

3. The Philippine Statistical System (PSS) is a government-wide scheme for providing statistical information and services to the public; • It is comprised of statistical organizations at all administrative levels of government, the personnel therein, and the national statistical program; 2

4. Structurewise, the PSS is a highly decentralized system consisting of: (i) a policymaking and coordinating body [NSCB]; (ii) data producers [NSO, BAS, BLES, statistical units of other government agencies and instrumentalities, and local government units]; and (iii) statistical education, and training and research institutions [the academe and SRTC]; and 3

5. Current set up of PSS is largely based on the results of government-wide reorganization conducted in 1987 under the Freedom Constitution. 4

6. Rationale for Reviewing the PSS 5

7. Review of PSS is in line with Executive Order No. 366 of 4 October 2004 directing a review of operations and organizations of the Executive Branch to improve the productivity and delivery of government services; 6

8. After more than 20 years, the PSS is due for another extensive review in order to realize the vision of having a System that has independence, objectivity, integrity, relevance and responsiveness; • Numerous issues have arisen in past years that affect the quality, reliability, timeliness of the statistical products coming out of the System; and 7

9. Official data issued by PSS impact on the policies and programs that are formulated to address the social and economic development goals of the country. 8

10. Basis for the Creation of the Committee 9

11. The Special Committee to Review the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) was created thru NSCB Resolution No. 4 of 2007 dated 14 February 2007; • Its creation was in consonance with recommendation of the Task Force on the Preparation of a Rationalization Plan for the PSS; and 10

12. Task Force cited that strategic review of the PSS is best undertaken by an independent body composed of respected statisticians and eminent persons knowledgeable and familiar with the situation prevailing in the system. 11

13. Composition of the Committee 12

14. The 5-person Review Committee is composed of: Chairman: Dr. Vicente B. Valdepenas Dr. Isidoro P. David Members: Dr. Mercedes B. Concepcion Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales Dr. Cielito F. Habito 13

15. Tasks of the Committee 14

16. In general, the committee has the following tasks: (i) to review and assess the current structures and organizations, mandates, functions, resources, products and services of the PSS; and (ii) to recommend how the PSS can be improved for a more effective and efficient delivery of its statistical products and services; 15

17. Specifically, the committee will review and evaluate the following: Current set up of PSS in planning, coordinating and managing statistical activities; Adequacy of legal frameworks governing the operations of statistical system; Integrity and completeness of national statistical programs; 16

18. Mechanisms to facilitate access to the data and other materials generated by the system; Methods of archiving data being generated; and International best practices on statistical systems that could be adopted in the country. 17

19. Resulting output should recommend: Proposed set up of the country’s statistical system; Proposed measures to improve quality, timeliness, responsiveness and completeness of national statistical programs; 18

20. Proposed measures to further facilitate and expedite access of various users to statistical outputs and other materials; Proposals to improve data archiving capability in government; Proposed international best practices on statistical systems for possible adoption in the country; 19

21. Proposed legislative bill for the recommended set up of PSS and its integral parts that shall improve the capability of the system to respond to the needs of its clients; and Proposed timetable to implement the recommendations. 20

22. Some Operational Matters for the Committee 21

23. Target date for completing the task of the committee – seven (7) months • Activities that may be conducted to come up with the findings and recommendations – interviews, meetings, consultations and workshops in and outside of Metro Manila and as may be needed 22

24. Secretariat support to be provided by technical staff from major statistical agencies and PIDS • Secretariat shall be based at PIDS • Committee can use the facilities of PIDS for its work 23

25. Funding support to activities of the committee was provided by BSP, PIDS and DBM • Total funding support amounted to P2.2 million with BSP, PIDS and DBM providing P1.0 million, P1.0 million and P0.2 million, respectively • PIDS shall manage the fund of the committee 24

26. End of Presentation