15 February 2024– COTABATO CITY. The Philippine Statistics Authority of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSA BARMM) successfully conducted its Second Level Operational Training on the 2024 Fisheries Surveys from 12 to 14 February 2024 at Sheikh Makhdum Hall, PSA BARMM Office in Cotabato City.

The training was spearheaded by the OIC Regional Director Engr. Akan G. Tula, together with its Chief SOCD Mr. Edward Donald F. Eloja, participated by the Provincial Focal Persons, Chief Statistical Specialists (CSSs), and the RSSO Staff.

The three-day training was conducted to provide knowledge to the focal persons in preparation for the conduct of the said statistical activities in the region. This was furtherfacilitated by Ms. Sittie Hapsa D. Maganaka, and Mr. Serhan M. Ummar, Regional Focal Person and Provincial Focal Person of Basilan, respectively.

The PSA, through the Fisheries Statistics Division (FSD) of the Economic Sector Statistics Service (ESSS), is primarily responsible for conducting periodic fisheries surveys. The fisheries sector is composed of four (4) subsectors, namely: Municipal, Commercial, Inland, and Aquaculture. Meanwhile, four (4) quarterly surveys generate the volume and value of production by species at the national, regional, and provincial levels. The data sets serve as inputs to the compilation of the performance of the Fisheries sector, and in the National and Regional Accounts.

Furthermore, the PSA BARMM ensures that all personnel involved in the conduct of the survey strictly adhere to the Field Operation Guidelines and health protocols. The PSA guarantees that all information acquired from the survey respondents will be handled with the utmost confidentiality pursuant to the provisions of the Philippine Statistical Act (RA10625) and of the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173).

ENGR. AKAN G. TULA
OIC-Regional Director