Highlights of FGD with Data Users

Oasis Hotel, La Union

1:30 p.m. 8 Nov. 2007

Key Issues / NEDA / NSCB / LGU – La Union / LGU-Pangasinan / LGU - San Fernando City / LGU – Narvacan
Mandate and functions vs. outputs and services / -  Gov. Ortega criticized NEDA’s 7-year old population data.
-  Such outdated data are unreliable for planning purposes.
-  Usually uses statistics for planning, particularly in the production of QRES.
-  Uses agri stats from BAS, investments and exports data from DTI.
-  However, benchmarking in terms of investments with other regions is difficult because DTI central does not have data.
-  Also encounters problems using tourism data which are not reliable, and lack of data on OFW remittances.
-  Using websites of agencies is helpful but most data do not have time series.
-  Generally, regional offices experience difficulty getting data from the central office of data producing agencies. / -  NSCB approved San Fernando City’s census survey but not Narvacan’s.
-  There may have been overestimation of projected population in Narvacan and San Fernando City; the assumptions should thus be evaluated.
-  On labor force data, disaggregated is only at regional level because of limited sample size. There is no budget for a bigger sample size so the survey could not go down to the levels lower than the regional.
-  If the LGUs have extra budget, they can tie up with NSO to do their own survey.
-  If none, planning officers of LGUs can study the time series and make assumptions to come up with estimates. / -  / -  Gov. Espino likewise was dismayed at 2000 census data that was presented during planning conferences.
-  Was also critical of the 1995 projected population data currently being used.
-  Needs updated data on employment since the latest the provincial planning office has is 2002 data.
-  Available data is regional and no disaggregated provincial data.
-  Same also with FIES data, 2000 is latest available data and no disaggregated data for province. / -  Conducted its own census survey but found that actual population is lower than projected.
-  City’s IRA would be affected if results will be submitted.
-  Has difficulty determining income of households and employment because NSO defines working for even one hour as employment.
-  Also needs participation rate data from DepEd regarding number of students from the city who are studying there and those from outside but are studying in the city.
-  Purpose of data is to plan traffic routes and not deprive students from outside the city to avail of education there. / -  Similar to the dilemma of San Fernando City, Narvacan’s actual population is lower than projected.
-  Since it has already applied for cityhood, fears that the result of census will derail the move towards cityhood.
Statistical outputs and user needs / -  / -  On health statistics, noted that San Fernando City has high birth and death rates because of the presence of hospitals in the city.
-  Thus, as with education data, it is necessary to segregate data on patients by residences.
-  High birth rates have implications on planning and allocating resources for LGUs.
-  On statistical positions, LGUs do not have mandatory statistical positions in the Local Government Code.
-  On recommendations to improve PSS, LGUs should have mandatory statistical positions. / -  / -  Planning department has three sections including research and statistical division.
-  Person doing statistical work is a dietician by training but finished MBA.
-  On suggestions to improve PSS, BAS should have disaggregated stats up to municipal level and not only at provincial level. / -  Planning department has four sections but there is only one person doing statistical work apart from producing and gathering data.
-  Statistician is a graduate of accountancy.
-  Statistical unit coordinates with other data producing agencies in the province but has no collaboration with academic institutions.
-  On suggestions to improve the PSS, recommends to have city statistical coordinating councils in all cities in order to meet their data requirements.
Key Issues / NSO / DepEd
Mandate and functions vs. outputs and services / -  Census survey should have been every 5 years but it was delayed to 2007 but there is projected population data for up to 2010.
-  Explained that latest census is only up to provincial level, not yet municipal.
-  Narvacan’s and San Fernando City’s conduct of their own census surveys should be looked into since they may not be aware of definition of population, the methodologies and other technical requirements.
-  At any rate, NSO still holds the official count. / -  Participation rate of students in San Fernando City is difficult because being the center of regional government, there are many schools in the city and there are many students who study there but live outside the city.
-  Would first coordinate with city planning office of San Fernando what kind of data they need.
Statistical outputs and user needs

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