02 September 2023, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The Philippine Statistics Authority - Regional Statistical Services Office II (PSA-RSSO II) has successfully conducted the press launch of the 2022 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (2022 CAF) held at SM City Tuguegarao on 02 September 2023.

Attended by more than 135 participants from various media agencies, content creators, stakeholder-farmers and employees from the 4 Provincial Statistical Offices and staff in the region, the press launch served as a crucial platform for PSA-RSSO II to share the significance, purpose, and methodology of CAF and its potential impact in shaping the future in the agriculture and fisheries sector in the country. The activity is also the penultimate effort to drumbeat the conduct of the 2022 CAF before the start of the enumeration on September 4, 2023. 

In his welcome message, Engr. Girme M. Bayucan, Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS), Officer-in-Charge of PSA-RSSO II, emphasized the collective effort of everyone, especially those in the agriculture and fisheries sectors and the whole community in order to have an accurate and timely information. “This survey encompasses all relevant aspects pertaining to agriculture and fisheries, thus, let’s work together to achieve this goal. The success of this census relies on the cooperation and participation of all,” OIC Bayucan added.

Included in the press launch program were presentations on the Introduction to the 2022 CAF and Messages of Support from various dignitaries in the entertainment industry, government institutions and private sector, all through Audio Visual Presentations. A live testimonial message was also delivered by Hon. Bienvenido De Guzman, Tuguegarao City Vice Mayor, representing the livestock and poultry sector. In his message, Vice Mayor De Guzman expressed his full support in the conduct of 2022 CAF. “Let’s help our enumerators by giving exact data because the information that we provide are the basis of the government in creating policies and programs for the farmers and fisherfolks,” said de Guzman.

The program also includes a question-and-answer portion for the media partners and vloggers. Notably, all media partners actively participated in this segment (exclusive for them) with all their queries intelligently responded to by PSA Officials. Questions such as enumeration period, processes of the census, number of sample barangays in the region, coordination mechanism among others were asked. Those questions further elucidated the whole context of the 2022 CAF to the participants. 

Alongside the activity, the agency also showcased the entries for the 2022 CAF Dance Contest joined by students and PSA enumerators in the region.

Mr. Ernesto M. De Peralta, Supervising Statistical Specialist, OIC of the Statistical Operations and Coordination Division (OIC-SOCD) extended his heartfelt gratitude to all participants. He then encouraged all the participants to foster a stronger partnership to ensure that the datasets that will be gained from this undertaking will be translated into practical actions and policies that can drive positive change in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

ENGR. GIRME M. BAYUCAN
(Chief Statistical Specialist)
Officer-in-Charge, PSA-RSSO II

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