The weekly Kapehan at Smokehauz Resto & Bar on October 16, 2010 featured the topic on the celebration of 21st National Statistic month. Guests are Ms. Rodelyn R. Panadero, Statistician II, NSO, and Engr. Roger M. Esto, PPDO. On the theme "Towards a Philippine Statistical System Responsive to Emerging National and Global Challenges", Ms. Panadero cited relevance and needs of statistics for development planning and allocation of scarce resources to attain optimum socio-economic growth. The National Statistics Office (NSO) is tasked to conduct periodic enumeration interviews such as Census of Population and Housing which was held on May 11 – June 11, 2010. The result of the survey will be officially released in December this year.
NSO also processes, authenticates and compiles civil registries pertaining to birth, death, and marriage. For instance, from January to August, the total registered live births in Aklan reached 5,899. However, Panadero revealed that 50 percent of live births are illegitimate children.
Engr. Esto speaking on behalf of Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez as Chairman of National Statistics Month celebration disclosed several activities for the October 19-22, 2010 event. This includes thanksgiving mass, motorcade, cutting of ribbon, viewing, and judging of exhibits, and commemorative program.
Mr. Odon S. Bandiola, SP Secretary mentioned that latest report of the Regional Statistical Coordination Board showed that Aklan is among the poorest provinces of the Philippines. He said, there is 27 percent increase of poverty incidence over the last five years from 33.5 to 42.6 percent now, the highest record in Western Visayas.
On to inherent nature, statistics is cold and indifferent. But when properly interpreted, it cuts across a broad spectrum of human imagination. In the case of widespread illegitimate child birth in Aklan for the last eight months, it seems accountability of the parents is missing. Children must not suffer and willful neglect of their elders. It is deeply disturbing that several cases have erupted in time of economic downturn. It is actually a prelude to sexual permissiveness common to Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark) where four out of five children are born out of wedlock. Yet the province is moderately conservative toward morality standards.
Poverty incidence in Aklan has indeed worsen over the years. Social Weather Station has an uncanny way of collecting data from few respondents and present a concise, credible picture of a particular issue within a short time period as was confirmed before the May 2010 national polls. On the other hand, government statisticians work like turtles straining to release 10 year periodic data on population and housing.
It is imperative, poverty must be reduced by half in 2015 according to the UN Millennium goal. Poverty is closely associated with hunger and deprivation stalking one billion people worldwide. Aklan has included the towns of Libacao, Madalag, Buruanga, and Balete in the 4P’s program targeting indigent families.
Confronted by adverse public opinion, our provincial officials must take the economic downturn in stride. It must re-assess investment priority direction whether to engage in massive infra projects like jetty port, sports complex, nursing school building, provincial hospital, and provincial capitol renovation. This excludes planned reclamation project in Malay through floating bond of P160 million and jetty port in Pook, Kalibo. Or it must radically shift to develop employment opportunities in order to take advantage of the tourism industry in Boracay.
Agriculture program must be addressed to those commodities which are deficit like corn, sorghum, and soybean for livestock feed, vegetables, fruits, poultry and livestock and cutflowers. Ironically, upscale resorts, hotels and restaurants in Boracay get their bulk supply of agricultural products from Manila, Cebu and Iloilo. In comparison, Aklan supplies an insignificant percentage of the lucrative market inspite of a comparative marketing advantage over Aklan’s distant market suppliers.
Cottage industries are another sun riser industry. Hand woven abaca and piña fabrics designed and manufactured to international standards are in demand. So are food preserves of bananas, coconut, jackfruit and mango. Indeed value added products mean more jobs and increase peoples’ purchasing power.
It is unfortunate that NSO has no capability of proving information on employment in Aklan. Available NSO data is an aggregate figure of Western Visayas or the National data. Relevant question is when this can be possible if we aspire to formally respond to national and global challenges. Engr. Esto says "it can be done" through local initiative of collaboration between LGU, DepEd and NSO. We hope this can be a reality soon.
Meanwhile, Aklan SP must act on alarming case of illegitimate child births and parental irresponsibility. Illegitimacy has a social stigma that strongly affects a person’s character and personality. Otherwise, our tribe can be labeled as a bunch of bustards and swingers. /MP
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