The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Cotabato Province, actively participated in the joint meeting of the Provincial Statistics Committee (PSC) and Provincial CBMS Coordinating Board (PCCB) for the first and second quarters of 2025 held on June 9, 2025, at the 3rd Floor Annex Building, Provincial Capitol Compound, Amas, Kidapawan City. The meeting was attended by member agencies, heads, and representatives from various provincial and national government offices of Cotabato Province. 

It was presided over by Ms. Jonah J. Balanag, ENP, MPA, Chairperson of the PSC and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC). Representing the PSA as the PSC Vice Chairperson, Officer-in-Charge Chief Statistical Specialist Norhayyah A. Tula, presented key updates and achievements of the agency within the province, covering the following: 

 Updates on the 2023/2024 Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS); 

 Status of National ID frontline operations and the rebranding;

 Highlights of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) results; 

 Updates on 36th National Statistics Month (NSM) Celebration; 

 Progress on the PSA-LGU Data Sharing of the Business Register Project (PLDSSBR); 

 Status of the 2024 Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) compilation;  Updates on the ongoing and upcoming statistical surveys; 

 Status of 2023 LGU-implemented Community– Based Monitoring System (CBMS);  Status of 2024 PopCen-CBMS operations and Geotagging of Services Facilities and Government Projects (SFGP). 

In line with PSA Cotabato’s commitment to comprehensive data development, the office sought the committee’s support through resolutions and requesting for data contributions on the compilation of the “2024 Countryside in Figures” for Cotabato Province. The committee responded positively and pledged its support in providing the necessary data inputs for the said publication. 

Further, PSC Secretariat representative Ms. Vilma Q. Mendoza of PPDC Cotabato, also shared progress on the ongoing update of the “Ecological Profile of Cotabato” for the years 2022–2025, reinforcing the importance of timely and accurate data in local development planning. 

OIC Tula, expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the member committees for the continued collaboration and support on all statistical undertakings of the PSA. She also encouraged the committee to further strengthen their collective efforts toward establishing a data-driven and resilient Cotabato Province. 

The PSC continues to serve as a vital mechanism for strengthening the provincial statistical system. This quarterly meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to address emerging statistical concerns, identify data gaps, and collaborate on strategies to enhance data quality, availability, and accessibility. 

The committee reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to collective action in improving the statistical landscape of the Province-an essential step towards promoting sustainable development, informed policy-making, and inclusive growth in the province.