By Shaun Alejandrae Y. Uy
MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — Eight local government units (LGUs) in Misamis Oriental formally accepted the results of the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) on Nov. 12 in Cagayan de Oro City, committing to use the data for evidence-based planning and development.
The local chief executives of Medina, Balingoan, Manticao, Lugait, Laguindingan, Gitagum, Libertad, and Initao, along with their municipal planning and development coordinators and municipal statisticians, signed the Data Turnover Agreement with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 10, formally transferring the CBMS results.
Manticao Mayor Stephen Tan said the CBMS is a vital tool that will help local chief executives better understand “the real conditions of our communities.”
Medina Mayor Marianne Chan said the data will help LGUs craft programs and policies that respond directly to constituents’ needs.
“By accepting the CBMS data, local government units will be able to craft the right programs, activities, projects, and policies that truly respond to the needs of our people,” Chan said.
Laguindingan Mayor Roy Macua said the numbers and statistics represent real people, families, and stories. He added that, as local leaders, they always say that “one cannot plan what they do not know, and cannot serve what they do not understand.”
“We assure you that the data that has been turned over will be handled responsibly in accordance with our mode of agreement and all relevant laws. It will be really utilized in order to transform the lives of the Balingoanons. May this data guide us in making decisions that truly improve the lives of our constituents,” said Balingoan Mayor Candy Unabia.
Through a video message, Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, national statistician and civil registrar general, emphasized the importance of turning data into actionable programs.
“This initiative was undertaken to provide updated information crucial for identifying beneficiaries of various government social protection programs, ensuring that assistance reaches those who need it most,” he said.
Chief Statistical Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of PSA Misamis Oriental Maria Liza M. Bigornia reminded officials to safeguard the data under the Data Privacy Act.
“Ato lang gamiton ang data sa insakto nga programa nga hiyang ug insakto para sa beneficiaries,” she said.
(Let us use the data for the right program that is appropriate and suitable for the beneficiaries.)
The local chief executives also expressed their gratitude to the PSA, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the enumerators who contributed to the successful implementation of the 2024 CBMS. (SAYU/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
