The Philippine Statistics Authority Sarangani Provincial Statistics Office conducted the Municipal Level Training, Coordination and Field Visit to the Local Government Unit of Glan on the Adoption of Philippine Standard Industrial Classification (PSIC) on 19 June 2024 at the Liga ng mga Barangay Office, Poblacion, Glan, Sarangani Province. The activity was attended by the participants from the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) and selected staff from the PSA Sarangani headed by Chief Statistical Specialist Ismael B. Ramos, Jr., together with Supervising Statistical Specialist Marifi P. De Asis.

The objective on the conduct of the municipal level training, coordination, and field visits and assessment of LGUs on the adoption of PSIC and PSGC is in light of capacitating LGUs in using standard classification, strengthening partnership, data sharing, and strategic generation of quality, timely, and comparable industrial statistics at the national and local levels. 

Before the start of the training, PSA personnel, led by CSS Ramos and SSS De Asis, along with BPLO Designate Maribel L. Alzale, paid a courtesy visit to the Municipal Mayor of Glan, Hon. Victor James B. Yap Sr., to personally inform him regarding the conduct of the said training. During the visit, Hon. Yap discussed his concerns regarding the data on population within his area of jurisdiction. CSS Ramos assured him that PSA is committed to deliver accurate and reliable data to aid in policy formulation.

Maribel L. Alzale, BPLO Designate, welcomed the attendees and noted the presence of 17 participants from different offices present in the training.

Chief Statistical Specialist Ismael B. Ramos, Jr. outlined the activity's objectives. He emphasized the necessity for local government units to improve their capabilities in standard classifications, especially the PSIC for industry classification. CSS Ramos cited Republic Act 10625, which mandates the PSA to develop and maintain frameworks and standards for data collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination within the Philippine Statistical System (PSS). Additionally, CSS Ramos also mentioned Republic Act 11032, the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Act of 2018, which mandates a standardized business permit application process that includes PSIC.

Supervising Statistical Specialist Marifi P. De Asis provided an overview of statistical standards and their applications. She introduced the eight standard classifications and highlighted the PSIC's role in aggregating data and classifying industries. She stressed the importance of PSIC in compiling national accounts, constructing Input-Output tables, and conducting establishment-based censuses and surveys. Moreover, she explained the rules for classifying economic activities and provided detailed examples for illustration.

Statistical Specialist II Mark D. Jiel Aninag demonstrated the use of PSIC and PSGC reference files, focusing on generating statistical tables using the Pivot function in Excel.

The activity is also part of the Nationwide Assessment of LGUs on the Adoption of PSIC since it recognizes the importance of LGU business registers in coming up with a total picture of  socio-economic development in the country for more informed decisions and more efficient delivery of government services.

It is hoped that this activity will strengthen LGU’s knowledge in using PSIC and PSGC as well as ensuring uniformity and comparability of data produced which will be used as aggregated data useful for local planners and policy makers.