SRTC Completed Successfully the Third Country Training Program
for Royal Government of Cambodia
The Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC) successfully completed the implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Third Country Training Program (TCTP) for Strengthening Policy, Research and Statistics Capacity intended for the Economic and Public Finance Policy Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance Cambodia. The TCTP, jointly organized with JICA-Philippine Office, opened on July 13, 2009 (Phase 1) and culminated on October 30, 2009 (Phase 2). Phase 1 covered 5 training courses conducted on July 13 to August 14 while that of Phase 2 had 3 training courses held from October 12 – 30, 2009. The SRTC Executive Director, Gervacio Selda, Jr. delivered his special messages for both the opening and closing ceremonies.
The opening ceremonies for the 1st Phase was held on July 13, at the Richmonde Hotel, with the Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, H.E. In May, Chief Representative of JICA-Philippine Office, Hon. Norio Matsuda, and NEDA DDG Nestor Mijares as guests. Also present were the resource persons of the 5-week course, PSA President Nieves Osorio, Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales and Mr. Benjie Turiano. The closing program, on the other hand, was held at the SRTC with JICA-Philippine Office Senior Representative Kenzo Iwakami; Minister Counsellor of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia Tith Sarunreth; and NEDA DDG Rolando Tungpalan as honored guests. Impressions from the participants were given by Hap Chanthea of EPFPD-MEF and Som Nita of National Bank of Cambodia, right after the impressions of the resource persons.
For Phase 2, the SRTC hosted both the opening and closing ceremonies. The program was graced by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, His Excellency Hang Chuon Naron; Ambassador of the Royal Government of Cambodia, His Excellency, In Mãy; Senior Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency Philippine Office, Kenzo Iwakami; and Deputy Director-General, National Economic and Development Authority, Margarita Songco.
The trainings aimed to enhance the capability of EPFPD Cambodia in undertaking and implementing quality policy advice, analysis and research, and preparing quality statistical outputs. It focused on: (i) statistics and econometrics; and (ii) macro-economic analysis and fiscal and budget policies. The impressions from participants were given by Mr. Khim Sophea and Ms. Kim Dora, both from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, while the impressions of the resource persons were given by PSA President Nieves Osorio and Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales.
TCTP Phase I for EPFPD-MEF Cambodia Successfully Completed
The SRTC successfully implemented Phase 1 of Third Country Training Program (TCTP) for Strengthening Policy, Research and Statistics Capacity intended for the Economic and Public Finance Policy Department of the Ministry of Economy and Finance Cambodia. The opening ceremonies was held on July 13, 2009, 9:00 am at the Richmonde Hotel, with the Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, H.E. In May, Chief Representative of JICA-Philippine Office, Hon. Norio Matsuda, and NEDA DDG Nestor Mijares as guests. Also present were the resource persons of the 5-week course, PSA Pres. Nieves Osorio, Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales and Mr. Benjie Turiano. The closing program, on the other hand, was held at the SRTC with JICA-Philippine Office Senior Representative Kenzo Iwakami; Minister Counsellor of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia Tith Sarunreth; and NEDA DDG Rolando Tungpalan as honored guests. Impressions from the participants were given by Hap Chanthea of EPFPD-MEF and Som Nita of National Bank of Cambodia, right after the impressions of the resource persons.
The Phase 1 of the TCTP, jointly organized by JICA-Philippine Office and SRTC covered 5 training courses conducted on July 13 to August 14. The trainings aimed to enhance the capability of EPFPD Cambodia in undertaking and implementing quality policy advice, analysis and research, and preparing quality statistical outputs. It focused on: (i) statistics and econometrics; and (ii) macro-economic analysis and fiscal and budget policies.
Presentation of SRTC Thesis Fellows and Scholars
The presentation of outputs of the SRTC Thesis Fellows and Scholars from the Re-engineering the Government Statistical Services Project – Phase II was held on September 2, 2009 at the SRTC Rizal Conference Room in Diliman, Quezon City. This activity is in consonance with the objective of disseminating relevant and significant statistical research outputs and raise awareness on the various activities undertaken by SRTC to promote and enhance statistical researches in entire Philippine Statistical System (PSS). Four (4) research papers were presented in the symposium namely: (i) “Testing for the Presence of Structural Change and Spatial Heterogeneity in a Spatial-Temporal Model” by Ms. Ruby Ann C. Lemence of the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis (IDEA), Inc.; (ii) “Estimating a Panel Model with Structural Change and Panel Heterogeneity” by Ms. Sarah B. Balagbis of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology; (iii) “Comparison of Some Estimation Procedures in Surveys of Skewed Population” by Ms. Maria Praxedes O. Reyes of SRTC; and (iv) “Comparison of Different Methods of Constructing Housing Start Index in the Philippines” by Ms. Felicidad S. Hebron of the National Statistics Office (NSO). Dr. Romula A. Virola, Secretary-General of the National Statistical Coordination Board gave the opening remarks, while SRTC Director Jun Selda gave the closing remarks. Among the participants and critics were Dr. Erniel B. Barrios, Dean of the UP School of Statistics; Ms. Carmelita N. Ericta, Administrator of NSO; Mrs. Nelia R. Marquez, former deputy administrator of NSO; and Ms. Jeannette E. Cruz, Director of the Housing Urban and Development Coordinating Council.
Third RegionalCourse on Integrated Economicl Accounts
Twenty-six participants representing 19 countries, participated in the Third Regional Course on Integrated Economic Accounts held on June 22-July 3, 2009 at the SRTC. The Regional Course was jointly supported by UNSIAP and SRTC, with The Richmonde Hotel as the venue of accommodation of the foreign participants. Course Coordinator and Lecturer of the IEA is Dr. A.P. Gamini De Silva, with Ms. Estrella V. Domingo as another resource person. The countries represented are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam and the Philippines.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Ralph G. Recto Visits Statistical Research and Training Center (SRTC)
Secretary Ralph Recto visited the Statistical Research and Training Center on July 2, 2009. The NEDA head was welcomed by the Executive Director (ED) of the SRTC, Gervacio G. Selda, Jr. where his first stop is the SRTC Computer Laboratory (COMLAB). He met the 20 foreign and 6 local participants in the 3rd Regional Course on Integrated Economic Accounts, an international training co-sponsored by SRTC with UNSIAP. Thereafter, he met the entire SRTC STAFF at the Office of the Executive Director. Dir. Selda oriented the Secretary on the mandate, functions and activities of the SRTC. In return, Sec. Recto gave his comments, suggestions and queries on certain research and training activities that caught his interest, e.g. the research project on housing needs with the HUDCC, training activities on MDG monitoring using the CBMS tool, and other capacity building endeavors of the SRTC. Before leaving, Sec. Recto expressed his appreciation to the relatively young and lean staff of SRTC and lauded the remarkable statistical research and training activities it has conducted every year, given its staff complement of 24.
Country Course on the 1993 System of National Accounts
Twenty-eight participants, with fifteen coming from the regional offices of the National Statistical Coordination Board, attended this course, held on June 15-19, 2009 at the SRTC. The other agencies represented are the National Statistics Office, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics,Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic and Development Authority, and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The 5-day country course is sponsored jointly by UNSIAP and SRTC, with Ms. Estrella V. Domingo, formerly the Assistant-Secretary General of the NSCB, as Course Coordinator/resource person.
Data Users' Forum (Fisheries Sector) on Census of Fisheries and Agriculture (CAF)
SRTC together with NSO and BAS, conducted the Data Users’ Forum (Fisheries Sector) on CAF on June 4, 2009 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The forum was attended by 31 participants from SRTC-NSO-BAS Project Team, data producers and users of fisheries statistics from both government and private sector. The activity is part of the project “Development of Alternative Sampling Design and Survey strategies for the Conduct of Census and Agriculture and Fisheries”. Presentations were made on the objectives of the census and kinds of information generated through it, background of the forthcoming census, inventory of fisheries statistics currently generated/produced by the statistical system, and initial list of data required by users. An open forum was facilitated by Dr. Isidoro David after the presentations, where other data requirements of users were discussed and considered for inclusion in the next census. The conduct of the forum is also essential in making recommendation on the data items to be included in the core and supplemental modules and community level survey questionnaires for the 2012 Census of Fisheries (CF).
Bhutan Participants Completes SRTC Training Course on STATA
Foreign participants from the Kingdom of Bhutan attended the training-workshop on Statistical Analysis with STATA, with Dr. Ana Maria Tabunda as resource person. The Bhutan participants are Chencho Dukpa, Deputy Chief Research Officer, Farming Systems, Council for Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) Research; and Peljor Nidup, Deputy Chief Planning Officer & Phub Dem, Senior Planning Officer, both from Policy and Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture. The training started May 4 and ended May 22, 2009.
SRTC Conducts Stress Management Workshop for Staff
SRTC conducted a stress management workshop for its staff on April 29-30 at Club Manila East, Taytay, Rizal. Facilitated by Faith Brazil and assisted by Tom Revuelta, the workshop enabled the SRTC employees to identify, handle, and reduce causes and effects of stress.
Web Development Training for NSO-NCR
SRTC in partnership with NSO-NCR conducted the training on Web Development attended by 15 participants from the regional and six districts of the NSO – NCR, NSO- IVA and Rizal conducted on March 9 -13, and April 13 -17, 2009. The training enhances skills of the participants in developing and designing basic web pages and sites using developmental tools and at the same time, maximizes these designs for statistical data and dissemination. Web Development training is one of a series of trainings identified to strengthen the capability of NSO staff in statistics, gender, governance, finance and administration and information technology. Ms. Lourdes V. Homecillo, OIC-Regional Director of NSO-NCR spearheaded the capability building programs for the regional and districts officers of NSO – NCR.
MICS Training for DPRK Delegation
Six participants from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea attended the training on Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, March 23-April 1 at SRTC. The training enables them to learn concepts on survey planning and management of operations. SRTC also assists in developing draft documents for organizing survey operations and at the same time, identify operational problems encountered in survey-taking. Dean Erniel Barrios and Prof. Josie Almeda of the UPSS are resource persons for the duration of the course.
Final Presentation of Estimating Value of Missing Data in the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries and Producer Price Survey
Held on March 17, 2009 at the NSO, the project estimated missing data due to late or non-response of establishments covered in the MISSI and PPS, with the use of Time Series Analysis Techniques. Efficiency of the methodology, applied to different industries was compared to historical imputation, current methodology used by NSO. The results showed that forecasting missing data through time series generally gives better estimates. Current method, however, can still be employed when series is generally stable or not fluctuating through time.
BSI-EWS Phase III Conducts 2 Trainings for Project Team
BSI-EWS III conducted 2 training-workshops on “Econometric Modeling and Forecasting” and “Statistical Report Writing.” Held at SRTC on February 4,5 and March 11, and March 10, 12 and 16, with Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales and Prof. Genelyn Ma. Sarte, both from the UPSS, as resource persons. Participants were the working group of the project.
HUDCC Project creates Inter-Agency Technical Group
An Inter-agency Technical Group of the Housing Backlog Study (IATG-HBS) was created to firm up definition of selected shelter terms and solicit inputs in the development of an alternative framework of housing needs vis-à-vis the housing backlog. Chaired by HUDCC Assistant Secretary Celia Alba, with members from CIAP-DTI, CREBA, HDMF, HGC, HLURB, MMDA, NEDA, NHA, NHMFC, NREA, NSCB, NSO, OSHDP, SHDA and SHFC. The organizational meeting was held on March 9, 2009 followed by first technical meeting on March 17, where project consultant Nelia R. Marquez presented the preliminary report on the improved framework.
Conducting Training Sessions and Activities
Invited as participants are resource persons and staff who regularly hold or manage SRTC trainings. The workshop was held March 17-18, 2009 at SRTC, with Ms. Faith Brazil facilitating the 2-day workshop.
Design and Administration of Surveys
A training course customized for 32 Technical Staff and Project Officers of the Center for Governance, Development Academy of the Philippines on March 9-13, 2009. Prof. Josie Almeda of UPSS conducted the course at DAP training hall..
Training Course on Advanced MS Excel
Assisted by the RDC of the Cordillera Administrative Region and the NEDA-CAR, the training had 29 officials and staff from line agencies and local government units (LGUs) of Benguet. Held on February 23-27 at Benguet State University-ICT Hall, La Trinidad, Benguet. The training included applying data entry techniques, organize, manage, format, chart and analyze data using Excel in the generation of statistical reports. Mr. Sim L. Estallo, Information Analyst III of the DILG served as resource person.
Basic Research and Technical Report Writing
Conducted on January 19-23, 2009 for 31 policemen and training officers of the Philippine Public Safety College. Concepts of basic research using descriptive statistics and technical writing were discussed by resource persons Prof. Lorelei Santos of UPSS and Ms. Faith Brazil, Consultant.
Estimation of Missing Data in the MISSI and PPS
Held on January 21, 2009 at SRTC where results of Forecasting MISSI Estimates and PPS were presented by Ms. Lou Homecillo and her team from the National Statistics Office. The group showed ARIMA Modelling produces better estimates than the current methodology which utilizes historical imputation. Consultant of the project , Dr.. Lisa Grace Bersales gave her inputs on the report.
Pilot Trainings on MDG Project
Carried out in Batangas City on November 11-14 and 27, 2008 and part of the MDG Project on "Towards Evidence-Based Monitoring Assessment and Reporting of MDG Progress at the Sub-National Level." Training focused on data collection, data processing, data building, statistical data analysis, MDG Report Generation and basic computer troubleshooting.