Top: Left to Right- CSS Cherry Grace D. Agustin delivers her message; OIC RD Engr. Girme Bayucan presents the highlights of the 2024 CBMS results; Municipal Mayor May Garnace Calaunan delivers her acceptance message; Bottom- Photo opportunity during the symbolic handover of CBMS Data to LGU Diffun

The Philippine Statistics Authority-Quirino Provincial Statistical Office, led by Chief Statistical Specialist Engr. Cherry Grace D. Agustin successfully conducted the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Data Turnover Ceremony in the Municipality of Diffun on 06 August 2025 held at the Balay Ti Umili Conference Room, Diffun, Quirino. This event proudly marks the second CBMS Data Turnover conducted both in the province and in the entire Cagayan Valley Region.

In attendance were Municipal Mayor May Garnace Calaunan; OIC-RD Engr. Girme M. Bayucan; CSS Cherry Grace D. Agustin; Hon. Dakila Carlo E. Cua, represented by SP Member Hon. Lilybeth Yogyog; Ms. Karen Joy C. Pablico, CESE, OIC Provincial Director of DILG Quirino, represented by Mr. Michael Camacam; Engr. Edison Agaoid of DICT Quirino; MPDC Charito Yangat,EnP; SB Member Hon. Gloria Antolin; Mr. Jeremy Deanon from PPDO; and the CBMS Coordinating Board of LGU Diffun.

Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Charito Yangat delivered her welcome message, emphasizing the vital role of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) as a powerful tool for evidence-based governance and informed decision-making.

In her message, Chief Statistical Specialist Engr. Cherry Grace D. Agustin emphasized that the CBMS plays a crucial role in generating updated, grassroots and disaggregated data essential for identifying and targeting households and beneficiaries in the planning and implementation of government programs. 

“Ang datos ng CBMS ay hindi lang basta mga numero. Sa likod nito ay makikita natin ang totoong larawan at kuwento ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan sa komunidad. Sa pamamagitan ng malinaw at maaasahang datos, mas maiintindihan natin ang kanilang kalagayan, makakapukaw ito ng atensyon, at higit na makakatulong sa mga leaders at planners ng ating bayan. Sa tulong ng CBMS data, mas madali nating matutukoy kung aling sektor o lugar ang higit na nangangailangan ng tulong at atensyon. Hindi na tayo umaasa sa hula o kuro-kuro, kundi sa matibay at maaasahang impormasyon. Sa ganitong paraan, mas nagiging epektibo ang ating mga programa at proyekto upang tunay na mapaunlad ang buhay ng bawat pamilya sa ating komunidad.” said CSS Agustin.

OIC-Regional Director of PSA RSSO 02 Engr. Girme M. Bayucan presented the highlights of the 2024 CBMS results, providing an overview of the socio-economic conditions of households in Diffun. These results are expected to serve as a strong foundation in crafting programs and policies that are responsive to the actual needs of the community.

A highlight of the ceremony was the signing of the Data Turnover Agreement (DTA) between PSA and LGU representatives, symbolizing the official handover of CBMS data to the Municipality of Diffun followed by a photo opportunity.

In her acceptance message, Municipal Mayor Calaunan expressed her sincere gratitude to the Philippine Statistics Authority for its unwavering support and highlighted the significance of the CBMS data as an essential tool in shaping the municipality's development plans and policy decisions. She emphasized that the reliable and up-to-date information gathered through the CBMS will help the local government identify the real needs of the community, prioritize interventions, and implement programs that truly benefit the people of Diffun.

Representatives from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government also shared their messages, emphasizing the vital role of data-driven governance in promoting inclusive growth.

Moreover, Municipal Data Protection Officer-Designate, Engr. Jose Mari Lajola discussed the plans and programs that will utilize and ensure the security of the CBMS data, assuring stakeholders that the information will be safeguarded and maximized for the benefit of the people of Diffun.

With the official handover of the CBMS data, LGU Diffun is now equipped with a valuable tool to design more targeted, evidence-based, and impactful programs that directly address the real needs of its constituents, ensuring that no one in the community is left behind.

ENGR. CHERRY GRACE D. AGUSTIN

Chief Statistical Specialist

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