Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 121)
The Executive Order No. 121 is otherwise known as the Reorganization Act of the Philippine Statistical System.
The main purpose is to reorganize and strengthen the Philippine Statistical System to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public statistical services.
The PSS includes statistical organizations at all administrative levels, their personnel, the national statistical program, a policy-making and coordinating body, a statistical research and training center, a single general purpose statistical agency, all government agencies, instrumentalities, government-owned or controlled corporations engaged in statistical activities as primary or part of their functions.
The NSCB is the highest policy-making and coordinating body on statistical matters, responsible for promoting an efficient statistical system, formulating policies, recommending measures to enhance the system, coordinating statistics collection, approving programs, budgeting, and prescribing standards.
The NSCB is composed of the NEDA Director-General (Chairman), Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Budget and Management (Vice-Chairman), representatives from other Ministries with Deputy Minister rank, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Administrator of the National Statistics Office, Secretary General of the NSCB, Director of the Statistical Research and Training Center, a governor or city mayor, and a member from the private sector.
The NSCB promotes and maintains an efficient government statistical system, formulates policies, recommends measures, establishes regional coordination, approves development programs, allocates statistical responsibilities, reviews budgets, clears funding, develops coordination frameworks, and prescribes uniform statistical standards. It does not engage in basic data collection.
The NSO is the major statistical agency responsible for generating general-purpose statistics and conducting censuses and surveys as designated by the NSCB, headed by an Administrator with the rank of Deputy Minister.
The SRTC develops research and training programs on statistical theories and methodologies, undertakes research on statistical concepts, promotes collaborative research, conducts non-degree training to upgrade personnel, and provides financial and other support for statistical research and development.
The NSCB reviews and prioritizes statistical activities in consultation with agencies according to the budget ceiling from the Ministry of Budget and Management (MBM). The NSCB determines fund allocation and budget submissions, while the MBM releases funds based on the NSCB's priorities.
Personnel continuing in a hold-over capacity will perform duties and receive salaries unless separated per Executive Order No. 17 (1986) or the Freedom Constitution. Those whose positions are not included in the new structure or not reappointed are deemed separated and entitled to retirement benefits or separation pay equivalent to one-month salary per year of service, capped at 12 months' salary.
Access to unpublished data is granted to individuals, institutions, or instrumentalities, subject to existing laws on confidentiality, provided the requesting party assumes the cost according to existing rules and regulations.
They are abolished, and their appropriations, records, properties, and necessary personnel are transferred to the NSCB. Personnel continue in hold-over capacity unless separated as provided, and appropriations and assets are managed according to relevant laws and codes.
The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon its approval on January 30, 1987.