15 August 2023, Cotabato City. The Philippine Statistics Authority – Regional Statistical Services Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PSA-RSSO-BARMM) has successfully conducted its 2nd Level Training on 2023 Integrated Processing of Maps from various Activities held last 31 July to 05 August 2023 at the Sheik Makhdum Hall, 3rd floor RSSO BARMM, Cotabato city.

The six-day training was spearheaded by the OIC Regional Director Engr. Akan G. Tula and OIC-SOCD Edward Donald F. Eloja. It was facilitated further by Mr. Ongkili A. Mohammad, Information Systems Analyst I of PSA-BARMM (Regional focal person), Mr. Mustaqeem Shaheed B. Dandon, Statistical Specialist II of PSA-Sulu; and Ms. Soria L. Macud, Statistical Analyst of PSA Lanao del Sur.

It was participated by the RSSO-SOCD-BARMM officials, Map Data Processors and Map Data Reviewers of the five (5) Provincial Statistical Offices. The 2023 Integrated Processing of Maps from Various Activities envisions to update existing digitized census maps to come up with accurate, complete and up-to-date maps to utilize in data collection during national censuses, listing and sample survey operations including data collection in community-based monitoring system. It is a comprehensive undertaking that aims to coalesce all spatial data along with the establishment of an updated and field validated administrative/operational boundaries between barangays, cities/municipalities, and provinces in the Philippines. This can be achieved through continuous updating and development of GIS-based maps which will eventually serve as an input in the PSA’s future endeavors and intelligent visualization of statistical information using dynamic digitized maps.

OIC-RD Tula emphasized in his inspirational message that the newly hired Map Data processors, Map Data Viewers and Map Data Reviewers should always be physically and mentally ready and do their best during the entire training. He also included to actively participate and understand the concepts and operational procedures in the field activities. “Do your best for this training and we’ll do our best to give what is best for you. With that, I wish you all a very good luck in the entire 6-days training.”

Moreover, OIC - SOCD Eloja in his closing message, encouraged everyone to be committed and to strategize work processes due to large operation, thus needs a systematic and even distribution of workload across hired mapping personnel. He also reminded everyone to raise all issues encountered during the Second Level Training so they can address it to the Central Office so when it comes in the field operation more or less issues will be cleared. He stated that until the last day of the training there are still issues in the boundaries of the barangays but encouraged everyone to try this certification and hopefully there will be a rating that will be resolved even not 100%
smooth outcome.

In line with this, the PSA-BARMM encourages the LGUs, especially barangay officials, to actively contribute to the success of the field validation by participating and providing honest and correct information to the field personnel.

ENGR. AKAN G. TULA
OIC-Regional Director
EDFE/MSM/SGU