Roxas City (12 October) -- The importance of statistics and the need for public support to efforts in upgrading its quality and standard is the focus of this year’s celebration of the 17th National Statistics Month this October, according to National Statistics Office (NSO) Provincial Statistics Officer Eriberto Esclamad.

The celebration has for its theme “Empowering Consumers Through Responsive Energy Statistics” to emphasize the importance of statistics on energy and its components to the pursuit of the economic development agenda of the government and to the day-to-day lives of Filipinos.

NSO Public Information Officer Rosiebelle Alanes said the provincial government of Capiz through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) and in behalf of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) is spearheading the conduct of local commemorative activities in coordination with the NSO.

The celebration is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 647 issued on September 20, 1990.

For a starter, the provincial government and NSO met with various government agencies and institutions last Oct. 2 to lay down the activities of the celebration, as well as to enjoin them to display celebration streamers.

A motorcade will be held around Roxas City on Oct. 9. It will also mark the start of the statistical exhibits at a hypermarket here.

The culminating activities will be held on Oct. 26 with the provincial elimination of the national statistics quiz in the morning, to be followed by the data presentation on the Unified Multiple ID System (UMIDS) and the closing program for the exhibits in the afternoon.

Provincial Statistician Engr. Frankie Dordas said the NSO is spearheading the formulation and implementation of the ID system.