CEBU CITY – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has called on the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of data to better inform regional policy decisions. Speaking on Wednesday, Garcia emphasized the critical role of reliable data in shaping effective government policies and programs, suggesting a need to overhaul current data collection methods.
Garcia warned that the reliability of data directly impacts policy outcomes, stating, ‘The accuracy or inaccuracy of data will have the attendant consequences.’ She convened a meeting with directors from various regional agencies, including the Departments of Agriculture, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, to synchronize their data with PSA’s.
She stressed the importance of data consistency across different government bodies, noting, ‘The accuracy of data has significant consequences.’
Angel Enriquez, Director of the Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas, backed the call for a review of data collection practices, pointing out that inconsistencies between agency data can hinder effective governance.
Shalaine Marie Lucero, Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the region, raised issues about discrepancies between PSA data and real-time conditions, which prompted a review of statistics used in the food stamp program.
Ariel Florendo, PSA’s Regional Director, along with Jennifer Bertaña, Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority, committed to addressing these concerns with their central offices.