chapter 6 development of the subnational statistical system - NSCB

Philippine Statistical Development Program, 2005-2010Meanwhile, the Regional/Provincial Statistical Coordination Committee (RSCC/PSCC) directsand guides statistical development activities at the subnational level to ensure the generation ofstatistics needed in the preparation of local development and monitoring plans in eachregion/province. Specifically, the powers and functions of the committee are: (a) to oversee theimplementation in the region of policy decisions made by the NSCB; (b) to recommend policydecisions affecting the development of the region and the local level to the NSCB; (c) toresolve statistical problems and issues peculiar to the region and local level and institutemeasures to strengthen the capability of the region and local levels; and (d) to create interagencystatistical sub-committees or task forces.Since overall planning in the region is vested in the Regional Development Council, the RSCC,which is composed of top officials of various regional line agencies and LGUs, isadministratively attached to the Council to ensure responsiveness of the SSS to therequirements of this planning body. A representative from the private sector, e.g. nongovernmentalorganizations (NGOs), is included as a member of the committee, consideringthat the role NGOs in the development process has likewise been expanded. The NSCBExecutive Board also provides overall guidance to the Regional Statistical CoordinationCommittees (RSCCs).• Statistical Coordination MechanismsStatistical coordination mechanisms aim to harmonize efforts of concerned agencies to bringabout an integrated and coherent subnational statistical system (SSS). The mechanisms forcoordination, which are the same as those prescribed by the NSCB at the national level, areadopted or replicated at the regional/local level. These are: (a) statistical programming throughthe multi-year subnational statistical development program (SSDP), regional/local statisticalcalendar, and monitoring of the program and calendar; (b) funds programming; (c) formsreview and clearance system; and (d) standard concepts, classification systems andtechniques.The multi-year SSDP sets the direction for the development of the SSS by addressingprevailing problems and issues and meetings the information needs of each developmentsector at the subnational level. In particular, it consists of various strategies and activities tosolve bottlenecks affecting the capability of the SSS to respond to the needs of the clientele.The review of the statistical budget proposal of agencies at the region/local level provides thenecessary resources for priority statistical activities. The manner through which budgets forstatistical activities of subnational agencies are reviewed is consistent with the schedulesprescribed under the synchronized planning-programming-budgeting system. This allowscloser linkages between statistical planning and funds programming.The forms and clearance system, which has been implemented since 1988 by the NSCB at thenational level, is prescribed at the subnational level. The system is envisioned to eliminateduplication of statistical data collection through survey/censuses, minimize the burden placedupon responding establishments, households and other entities and ensure the technicaladequacy of the survey design.The adoption of standard concepts, classification systems and techniques at the subnationallevel ensures data compatibility and consistency. The RSCC is tasked to oversee the adoptionof these in the region and at the local level.Subnational Data Production and Dissemination SystemThis component covers techniques, procedures and methods of data production, documentation,storage and dissemination employed by agencies at the regional/local level. Improvements in theseactivities will enable the system to provide information support for more effective decentralized planningand policy-making. A refocusing of the data production activities giving priority to the generation of smallarea statistics to address the areas of concern of the Regional/ Provincial Development Plan is thereforenecessary. Data production systems can be developed/improved through statistical manpowerdevelopment and statistical technology development. To effectively carry out these major activities,operating guidelines are prepared and monitoring visits by central office staff personnel are regularlyconducted. The local visits also aim to determine the progress and status of implementation of statisticalactivities and ensure the early solution of emerging problems/bottlenecks.Development of the Subnational Statistical System 6-3