Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson formally accepted Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) during a turnover at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Friday, May 8.
Lacson, in his speech, said the CBMS is “valuable tool” that will guide the Negros Occidental provincial government toward a more responsive and evidence-based governance.
“When our decisions are guided by accurate information, our programs become more effective, our resources become better utilized, and our governance becomes more responsive,” he said.
The newly acquired information will provide a deeper understanding of the specific conditions and gaps within local communities, serving as a vital foundation for strategic planning, budgeting, and the prioritization of provincial programs, he said.
Lacson stressed that effective governance must be anchored on the actual needs of the people rather than assumptions, ensuring that government interventions result in tangible improvements in the lives of his constituents.
While highlighting the importance of the data, Lacson noted that statistics only become meaningful when they are properly analyzed and translated into concrete action.
He encouraged the PSA to maintain its partnership with the province through continuous orientations and capacity-building activities to help local government units and stakeholders simplify the interpretation of complex datasets.
Lacson also underscored the role of credible information in combating the spread of misinformation on social media, asserting that reliable data allows the government to see realities clearly and make informed decisions that are shielded from propaganda.
Lacson called on provincial government offices to integrate the CBMS findings into project conceptualization and policy formulation. *
“When our decisions are guided by accurate information, our programs become more effective, our resources become better utilized, and our governance becomes more responsive,” he said.*
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