21 July 2025 – Kawayan, Biliran. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Biliran Provincial Statistical Office formally presented the preliminary results of the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kawayan in a session held at the Mayor’s Office Conference Room in Barangay Poblacion.

The activity was facilitated by Chief Statistical Specialist (CSS) Renavil V. Cueva and Registration Officer I Virgilio L. Cinco, Jr., and was attended by local officials and department heads. The presentation provided LGU stakeholders with an initial look at household-level data collected during the 2024 CBMS enumeration and served as an opportunity for validation and feedback.

In his remarks, Honorable Vice Mayor Jake Espina expressed his strong support for evidence-based governance, stating that he is “really an advocate for data-driven governance.” He underscored the importance of utilizing reliable, localized data in formulating programs and policies that truly reflect the needs of Kawayan’s residents.

The preliminary results covered a broad range of development indicators, including access to drinking water and sanitation, electricity, internet connectivity, housing materials, education, and employment. These indicators align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are intended to support the LGU’s ongoing development planning efforts.

Following the presentation, LGU representatives actively participated in the discussion by offering feedback and seeking clarification on key data points. Questions were raised regarding the total number of households surveyed, distinctions between CBMS and other surveys, the classification of housing materials per barangay, and the definition and computation of sanitation-related indicators. The exchange demonstrated strong interest among local officials in understanding both the methodology and practical applications of the data. It also highlighted the LGU’s intention to use the CBMS findings to form targeted interventions, particularly in improving housing conditions and access to basic sanitation services.

CSS Cueva underscored that CBMS is more than just a data-gathering initiative; it is a powerful tool for planning and governance that equips LGUs with timely, localized, and disaggregated information.

The CBMS, institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11315, serves as a diagnostic and monitoring system that enables LGUs to assess local conditions, identify development priorities, and track progress over time. For Kawayan, the 2024 CBMS results mark a key milestone in its commitment to inclusive planning and effective resource allocation.

Once finalized and the necessary requirements are fulfilled by LGU Kawayan, the CBMS data will be officially turned over by PSA Biliran. This dataset is expected to serve as a valuable resource for the municipality in crafting responsive, evidence-based, and community-driven development programs and policies.

For further information, you may contact the Biliran Provincial Statistical Office at (053) 507-8122 and email address at biliran@psa.gov.ph.

Approved for release:

SGD. RENAVIL V. CUEVA
Chief Statistical Specialist