During the closing ceremony of the 36th National Statistics Month in Tacloban City, PSA regional director Wilma Perante underscored that statistics play a vital role in ensuring inclusive and sustainable development.
“Statistics must be accessible, inclusive, and understandable to everyone, not just a select few. Our activities this month have highlighted the use of data in helping us track progress and identify where more effort is needed to achieve the SDGs,” Perante said.
She also urged continued promotion of statistical literacy, noting that data should remain a key driver for decision-making even beyond the celebration.
“Every data point tells a story — a story of our people, our progress, and our shared aspirations. May we continue to use the power of statistics to write a story of a brighter, more equitable future for all Filipinos, and work together to ensure that no one is left behind,” she added.
Anchored on the theme “Accelerating the SDG Pace of Progress: Mobilizing Data for All,” the month-long celebration highlighted how data-driven insights can support education, environment, health, and economic development — all essential pillars of the SDG framework.
The PSA earlier reported a decline in progress in five of the 17 SDGs: Gender Equality, Industry and Innovation, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities, and Climate Action.
The SDGs, adopted in 2015 by United Nations member states including the Philippines, serve as a 15-year blueprint for achieving a more sustainable and equitable future through 17 goals, 169 targets, and 232 measurable indicators.