LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Preparations are underway for the upcoming 17th National Statistics Month Celebration this coming October, according to Board Member Dionisio ‘Saffe’ A. Villar, Jr.

BM Villar, this year’s NSM acting chairman, presided over the first meeting of the steering committee last Tuesday at the Lingayen Gulf Resort Hotel with various line agencies to come up with different activities to be undertaken for the month-long celebration.

To ensure the success of this year’s celebration, Gov. Victor E. Agbayani has thrown-out his all-out support to the different activities being lined up, Villar said.

Gov. Agbayani stressed that the observance of this year’s event is aimed at promoting nationwide awareness and appreciation of the value and importance of statistics to the different sectors of society and in eliciting the cooperation of the public in upgrading the quality and standards of statistics in the country.

Among the issues tackled yesterday by the NSM Provincial Working Committee are the proposed activities, problems/issues regarding the implementatin and conduct of the different activities, budgetary requirements and other related matters.

“We need the full cooperation and support of everyone concerned to make it a successful celebration,” Villar stressed.

Likewise, BM Villar pledged P30,000 for prizes which will be given to the winners in the different competitions.

Among the proposed activities include hanging of streamers depicting this year’s theme “Empowering Consumers Through Responsive Energy Statistics.

Also, in the opening ceremony, there will be forum and symposium in different venues.

An information and dissemination campaign on NSM activities through print and broadcast media is also part of the said celebration.

There will be different contests such as slogan, essay writing and statistical quiz and search for the Best NSM Province and activity. The closing and awarding program are tentatively set on October 25. (PIO/Jennifer Domantay)