In response to widespread delays in data collection and a shortage of statisticians across many cities and municipalities, the Capitol of Cebu has established a technical working group (TWG). This initiative aims to guarantee that government projects are based on accurate and reliable information.
Addressing Compliance Issues
According to a report from the Cebu Province Public Information Office on Thursday, April 9, 2026, the formation of this group was one of the key decisions made during the inaugural meeting of the newly created Cebu Provincial Statistics Committee (PSC).
The TWG will investigate why not all local government units (LGUs) have complied with the mandated hiring of municipal or city statisticians, focusing on identifying gaps and other obstacles, as stated in the official announcement.
Legal Mandates and Expansion
This requirement stems from Republic Act 11315, also known as the Community-based Monitoring System Act, which designates LGUs as the primary data collectors for poverty and development indicators.
The PSC approved the inclusion of nine additional national agencies, bringing the total membership to 27 under the leadership of Governor Pamela Baricuatro. Nerces Bispo, the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, chairs the PSC and its meetings, while the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-Cebu Provincial Office, headed by Officer-in-Charge Felixberto Sato Jr., serves as the secretariat.
Supporting Resolutions and Institutional Efforts
Alongside the creation of the TWG, the committee also approved a resolution reminding LGUs of the national policy that mandates the hiring of statisticians.
The TWG comprises representatives from the Provincial Budget Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, University of the Philippines Cebu, Cebu Normal University, and Cebu Technological University.
Elizar Sabinay Jr. from the Provincial Planning and Development Office emphasized that the PSC is one of the first groups formed under the Baricuatro administration to ensure that governance is guided by trustworthy data.
Future Plans and Deadlines
The PSC further approved resolutions for institutionalizing the Provincial Products Accounts and the PSA-LGU Data Sharing initiative, including setting dates for meetings in the third and fourth quarters of the year.
During the meeting, Capitol offices involved in developing the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan for Cebu were reminded to submit pending data. The first draft of this plan is expected to be completed by October of this year.
