PSA turns over CBMS data to Surigao Sur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has turned over the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data to the provincial government of Surigao del Sur.
During the ceremonial event in Tandag City on November 10, PSA Surigao del Sur Chief Statistical Specialist Ruel Dres emphasized that the CBMS results serve as a crucial economic and social planning tool for local government units (LGUs).
“The data will help LGUs design targeted poverty alleviation and development programs that are responsive to the unique needs of each sector in the community,” Chief Dres said.
“Anchored on Republic Act No. 11315 or the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Act, the program institutionalizes a technology-driven system of data collection, processing, and validation,” he added. “This approach enables evidence-based local planning, program implementation, and impact monitoring while promoting participatory governance by engaging communities in the process.”
The PSA official relayed that the agency leads the nationwide implementation of the CBMS in collaboration with local government units. He also shared that the next round of CBMS implementation is scheduled in 2027.
Dres reported that data collection in Surigao del Sur began on July 15, 2024, involving 369 enumerators, 85 supervisors, 40 data processors, 21 map data processors, and 4 office-based personnel.
The 2024 CBMS covered 29 barangays, recording a total of 154,037 responding households across the province. Bislig City registered the highest number of respondents with 23,503 households, while Bayabas had the least with 2,311.
Dres clarified that the CBMS should not be misconstrued as the official population count, as the official figure will be based solely on the proclamation issued by the Office of the President through the national census.
The CBMS results revealed the following:
– 97.2 percent of households in Surigao del Sur have access to electricity;
– 83.8 percent have internet access;
– 80.3 percent use improved sources of water supply;
– 91.0 percent of individuals aged 60 and above possess senior citizen IDs
– 26.7 percent of households use clean fuel or technology such as electricity and LPG, while others still depend on kerosene, charcoal, or wood
– 97.6 percent of households reported feeling safe walking alone at night, while only – 1.7 percent said they feel unsafe.
On disaster preparedness, 61.8% (191 out of 309) barangays have disaster emergency hotlines, 98.1% have organized emergency response teams, and 98.7% maintain a written Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Plan.
Also, during the event, the local chief executives (LCEs) and representatives together with their local planning development officers from the 17 municipalities and two component cities of Surigao del Sur also joined the signing of the Data Turnover Agreement (DTA) with the PSA.
The DTA formalizes the official handover and authorized use of the CBMS datasets by the provincial and city/municipal governments for local planning, program development, and evidence-based policymaking.
After the signing, a photo opportunity followed with Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel and the participating LCEs to mark the shared commitment between the PSA and LGUs in utilizing the CBMS data for inclusive and data-driven governance.
Gov. Pimentel commended the PSA implementing the program and underscored the value of the CBMS in supporting LGUs’ planning and development efforts. “This initiative provides our local governments with reliable data to ensure that our projects and programs are grounded on real community needs.”
He added that the availability of accurate, community-based data will guide future initiatives aimed at improving social services and uplifting the quality of life of every Surigaonon. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
