QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10625)
RA No. 10625 is known as the “Philippine Statistical Act of 2013.”
To rationalize and promote efficiency and effectiveness in delivering statistical services, maintain an integrated PSS characterized by independence, objectivity, and integrity, support decentralization through statistical infrastructure for local planning, and provide timely, accurate, useful data for equitable national development.
The PSS consists of statistical organizations at all administrative levels, their personnel, and the national statistical program. It includes policy-making, coordinating bodies with primary data collection capability, a statistical research and training institute, and all relevant national/local government units and GOCCs and their subsidiaries engaged in statistical activities.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is created attached to NEDA for policy coordination. It consists of the PSA Board and offices on sectoral statistics, censuses and technical coordination, civil registration and central support, and field statistical services.
The data produced by the PSA are the official and controlling statistics of the government.
Among existing personnel of major statistical agencies: NSO, NSCB Technical Staff, BAS, and BLES.
The BSP continues to take charge of banking and financial statistics, including Balance of Payments (BOP) and flow of funds.
Examples include: serving as central authority on primary data collection; preparing and conducting periodic censuses; collecting/compiling/analyzing/publishing statistical information; conducting statistical sample surveys; enforcing civil registration functions under Act No. 3753; developing standards/frameworks; coordinating with departments and LGUs to avoid duplication; and preparing the Philippine Statistical Development Program.
The PSA Board includes: NEDA Director-General (Chairperson), DBM Secretary or designated Undersecretary (Vice Chairperson), National Statistician, representatives from national departments, a BSP representative, PSRTI Executive Director, and representatives from the Philippine Statistical Association, GOCCs, ULAP, and the private sector (appointed for three years).
The first organizational meeting must occur within 45 days from effectivity. Regular quarterly meetings and special meetings may be held. Matters are decided by majority vote of all members; a majority of members constitutes quorum for day-to-day affairs and business.
Failure without justifiable reason to comply may lead to filing administrative and criminal cases against erring government personnel and their immediate superior, without prejudice to other laws or regulations.
RA 10625 requires IACs including committees on Agriculture, Trade and Industry Statistics, Infrastructure, Financial Statistics, Social Statistics, Gender Statistics, Environment and Natural Resources, ICT, Science and Technology, Governance, Migration, Fiscal Matters, and PSS Resources. They coordinate and resolve agency/sectoral concerns and serve as a forum for discussion of issues raised by producers, users, and stakeholders.
The National Statistician is appointed by the President from nominees submitted by a Special Committee (representing PSA Association, UP School of Statistics, UPLB-INSTAT, BSP’s Department of Economic Statistics, and NEDA). The appointee must have experience in management of data collection and at least a Master’s degree in Statistics.
Individual data furnished by respondents to PSA inquiries/surveys/censuses is privileged communication and inadmissible as evidence in any proceeding. Only aggregated information that does not identify individuals or entities may be released.
Confidentiality does not apply to: (a) lists/indexes of individual business firms/establishments/organizations with specified details including employee ranges; (b) microdata for PSA research with care to avoid disclosure of identities; and (c) access to census data after 100 years for historical/genealogical/scientific or other research purposes.
For failure to give truthful and complete answers: one (1) year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000. If the respondent is a corporation, the penalty is imposed on responsible officers/directors/managers/agents, and the corporation may be fined from P100,000 to P500,000 depending on category. Breach of confidentiality carries fines set by PSA Board (not less than P5,000 nor more than P10,000) and/or imprisonment of three (3) months but not more than one (1) year. Noncompliance with survey clearance is penalized by a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 depending on gravity.