Having
Aklan’s accurate data on the province’ poverty
threshold, employment and unemployment rate, population,
agricultural produce and other information that involves
the use of statistics is vital for poverty and hunger eradication
in the province.
This
is according to Aklan governor Carlito S. Marquez who recently
led the initial meeting as part of the province’ celebration
of National Statistics Month observed nationwide this month
of October. The meeting was held at the Conference Room
of the Provincial Guest House here.
The
meeting was attended by heads and representatives of national
government agencies and provincial offices who were invited
by the provincial government to plan out activities for
the month-long celebration.
Gov.
Marquez said it is important to know the accurate number
of the province’ poor families so the provincial government
can formulate the right programs and services for these
people to bring down incidence of poverty and hunger.
Theme
of this year’s Statistics Month celebration is “Statistics
and Actions: A Road to a Better Life Through the Millennium
Development Goals”. Poverty and hunger eradication
is one of the six MDG priority areas of concern.
Other
MDG concerns include the achievement of universal primary
education, promotion of gender equality, reduction of child
mortality, improvement of women’s reproductive health,
and combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases.
In
the province, some activities that will be held for the
18th Statistics Month celebration include hanging of streamers,
a Thanksgiving Mass, motorcade by all participating agencies
around Kalibo, Statistical Exhibit, Progress Report Forum
on the Millenium Development Goals, Statistical Quiz and
radio and cable television guestings by representatives
of participating agencies.
Most
of the activities will be held October 16, while the closing
activity, a Statistical Forum, will be held on October 25,
according to Engr. Roger M. Esto, Provincial Planning and
Development Coordinator who presided in the initial meeting
together with Gov. Marquez.
For
this year’s celebration of Statistics Month, Department
of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno
is urging all local chief executives to conduct simple but
meaningful activities, citing the importance and value of
statistics in the development efforts of the national and
local governments.
“In
order to assess our progress and the effectiveness of our
programs on poverty eradication in achieving this goal,
we need hard data and statistics,” the
DILG Chief explained.
The observance
of National Statistics Month each year is aimed to promote,
enhance and instill awareness and appreciation on the importance
of statistics in the formulation of policies for growth
and development as well as elicit the cooperation and support
of the general public in upgrading the quality of standards
of statistics in the country. (Venus G. Villanueva/PIA)
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