MANILA – Together with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) fully supported the celebration of the 2023 National Statistics Month (NSM) via a host of activities, among of which is a radio guesting in Radyo Pilipinas – Serbisyo sa Radyo last 30 September 2023. OIC-Executive Director Jeanette T. Damo underscored the importance of data and statistics in the Department’s policy research endeavors and evidence-based policy making.

“Napakahalaga ng datos at ng impormasyon. Ito ay ginagamit natin sa paghubog ng ating mga polisiya, sa pagdisenyo ng ating mga programa, at lalo na sa mga research institutions tulad ng ILS. Ang mga nilalabas po naming researches ay dapat evidence-based, at ang datos na nanggagaling sa Philippine Statistics Authority ay napaka-importante,” OIC-Executive Director Damo emphasized.

For the entire month of October, the Institute shared a series of infographics featuring the latest data and statistics from PSA, covering topics such as occupational safety and health, employee welfare and well-being, labor force surveys, among others. The Institute also utilized its social media platforms to promote NSM activities conducted by DOLE’s regional offices and attached agencies.

On 16 October 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) organized a webinar on “Driving Progress Through Health Data: A Path to a Healthier Nation.” The webinar was attended by health practitioners, safety officers and organizations, members of the Philippine Statistical System, and other interested individuals.

Other activities and initiatives of the Department included Statistiktok (Statistical Quiz), film showing, information, education and communication materials on wage and productivity statistics, capacity building on statistical database and report writing, among others.

With the theme, “Accelerating Progress: Promoting Data and Statistics for Healthy Philippines,” this year’s NSM emphasizes the importance of data and statistics in enhancing health outcomes and speeding up the resolution of health system issues and challenges.

OIC-Executive Director Damo expressed her gratitude to PSA for inviting the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Institute’s mother agency, to be part of the Steering Committee (SC) and Subcommittee on Programs and Awards (SCPA) for this year’s NSM celebration, and for providing the Department with Public Use Files on the Labor Force Survey.

In 2020, DOLE hosted the celebration of the 31st National Statistics Month, focused on economic recovery during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s celebration was hosted by the Department of Health.

The annual observance of the NSM is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 647, “Declaring the Month of October of every Year as the National Statistics Month,” issued on 20 September 1990 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.