10 July 2025 – LORETO, DINAGAT ISLANDS. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Dinagat Islands spearheaded the province’s first official review of the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) preliminary results in the Municipality of Loreto. This activity also marked the beginning of the Community Validation process- one of the major phases of CBMS implementation.

As part of its mandate, the PSA will conduct community validation in all Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) in Dinagat Islands prior to the official Data Turnover Ceremony. The Municipality of Loreto is the first LGU in the province to successfully hold the community validation activity. This ensures that the CBMS data is complete, of high quality, and truly reflective of the actual conditions in the locality. The activity was attended by key LGU offices, especially those involved in poverty alleviation planning and program implementation, including CBMS focal persons and municipal planning officials.

The presentation took place at the 3rd Floor of the New Municipal Hall, Togop Institutional Complex, and was attended by 17 representatives from various LGU offices. The session was led by Statistical Specialist II and designated Alternate CBMS Focal Person Mr. Febrex C. Lakilak, with technical assistance from Information Systems Analyst I Mr. Arwin C. Magsalay. Among the participants were Vice Mayor Hon. Bang-ong Tan, MPDC Engr. Toribio Reyes and his technical staff, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and representatives from the HRMO, DepEd, MSWDO, MAO, and MEO.

Topics discussed included the CBMS implementation timeline, objectives, and key statistics covering housing, health, education, access to basic services, and other available tabulations. The session also featured a review of the required materials, documentation, and preparatory activities for the upcoming CBMS Data Turnover Ceremony.

During the presentation, initial data findings were raised by the LGU and flagged for review. These were documented by the PSA personnel and, as agreed, will be jointly validated and confirmed in the field by the MPDO and PSA. PSA representatives provided clarifications and emphasized the importance of accurate data interpretation for effective and responsive policy development.

Vice Mayor Tan and other municipal officials expressed their appreciation to the PSA for its continued technical support. They acknowledged the value of CBMS data in crafting evidence-based programs and improving service delivery, particularly for vulnerable and underserved sectors.

As part of its commitment to grassroots-level data empowerment, PSA–Dinagat Islands will continue its coordination with other municipalities in the province to present the 2024 CBMS results and support their integration into local development planning.

For additional information, visit the official website (https://psa.gov.ph/) or like and follow the official Facebook page of PSA- PDI (https://www.facebook.com/PSADinagatIslands).

(Sgd.) GLENNBOY C. LISTON
Chief Statistical Specialist
Dinagat Islands Provincial Statistics Office