The PSA-Cotabato Provincial Statistical Office, commenced the 3^rd Level training of the 2025 Labor Force Survey (LFS) & 2025 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) on July 1, 2025, and is expected to end on July 7, 2025, at Elai Resort and Hotel, Paco, City of Kidapawan, Cotabato.

This was attended by 64 Hired Personnel (51 Statistical Researchers and 5 Team Supervisors for Cotabato and 7 Statistical Researchers and 1 Team Supervisor for Special Geographic Area). The 7 days training aims to equip Enumerators, TS and PSA personnel for the conduct of the July 2025 LFS and FIES Visit 1, which will be undertaken nationwide from 08 to 31 July 2025. The training covers survey concepts, procedures, field protocols, and the use of Computer Aided Personal Interview (CAPI) during data collection to ensure accuracy and consistency of data gathered.

LFS is a quarterly survey of households conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to gather data on employment and labor market trends such as labor force participation and unemployment rates, hours worked, past industries and occupations of currently unemployed persons to support government planning, policy formulation, and program implementation. 

Meanwhile, FIES is a survey on family income and expenditure of households conducted every 3 years, providing insights on income distribution and inequality. The 2025 FIES Visit 1 will gather data for the first semester of 2025.

The activity was started off by a preliminary program with an opening remarks delivered by SSS Nazar A. Muhammadsha, who welcomed all participants and thanked the  hired personnel  for their participation and assistance in this project. After which OIC-Chief Statistical Specialist Norhayyah A. Tula, delivered an inspiring and encouraging message highlighting the significance of the data to be collected. She emphasizes the importance of the huge impact on the quality of the data to be gathered and making sure  that only correct and accurate data is collected and the results of FIES will be used for poverty alleviation and social protection programs of the government.

PSA Cotabato remains its commitment in delivering relevant and reliable statistics to the public.