To strengthen the crafting of data-driven decisions and actions, the City Government of San Fernando, La Union was formally informed of the preliminary results of the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), through the PSA-Regional Office 1 (RO1) and PSA-La Union Provincial Statistical Office (PSA-LUPSO), at the Gregorio “Bunog” R. Hufano Session Hall on August 11, 2025.

The program was officially opened through the opening remarks of City Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of data in defining and enhancing social, economic, and environmental programs of the city.

Moreover, Manong Dong also underscored the reason why we need to embrace CBMS. “We cannot serve people we do not fully understand. We cannot solve problems we have not tried to measure. And we cannot claim to govern with integrity if we are only guessing,” the Mayor said in his remarks.

After the opening remarks, Mr. Jomar B. Cariaga, Senior Statistical Specialist, presented the preliminary results of the 2024 CBMS for the city. In the said presentation, Mr. Arciaga shared the key indicators from the CBMS household profile questionnaire. This questionnaire includes barangay-level statistics on access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, energy, transportation, waste collection, health care, education, and information technology.

A formal Data Turnover Ceremony will be conducted at a later date for local government units (LGUs) to officially receive and utilize their complete CBMS datasets. The comprehensive data will guide the City Government in crafting responsive policies and initiatives that address priority needs and promote inclusive growth.

Among the attendees during the presentation were City Councilors Hon. Edwin H. Yumul and Hon. Ramon F. Laudencia, department and section heads of the city government, and the City CBMS members.

Also in attendance were delegates of the PSA RO1 represented by Ms. May-an N. Cacho, Statistical Specialist II, together with the PSA LUPSO personnel namely Engr. Leny Grace S. Balanon, Statistical Specialist II, Girard Francis M. Casuga, Registration Officer II, and Ms. Ellaine Gabrielle A. Tan, Accountant II.

Thank you for sharing this valuable data, PSA!

The City Government remains responsive to the needs of the #PeoplesCity of #SanFernandoTayo with the help of statistics in planning relevant.