Photo from PSA
COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Government partnered with the National Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for the simultaneous nationwide launch of Data Enclave Centers (DECs) in regional offices on Friday, July 14, aimed to prioritize the safety and security of data access.
With a total of 14 regional offices participating in the DECs’ launch, the campaign provides an overview of these centers, guiding users on accessing confidential data sets stored within them.
The use of Data Enclaves was initiated on December 19, 2022, with the PSA Central Office and the three pilot regions: National Capital Region (NCR), Region V (BICOL Region), and Region XII (SOCSKSARGEN Region).
Dr. Claire Dennis Mapa, PSA Undersecretary, National Statistician, and Civil Register General, highlighted the establishment of DECs in the Central Office and their extension to 17 regional offices as a strategy to foster a collaborative environment with partners. This initiative aims to intensify the dissemination and usage of statistics.
“Today, I am delighted that our stakeholders can now access our DECs in all our regional offices. By empowering our regional offices through Information Technology-driven solutions, our DECs shows our steadfast initiative to provide access even to sensitive data to our researchers and stakeholders for statistical purposes,” Mapa said.
Mapa further emphasized that this move promotes research collaboration and innovation across all regions, showcasing the PSA’s responsiveness to the challenges posed by the rapid production and dissemination of data amidst future uncertainties.
The Undersecretary urged colleagues to foster a positive atmosphere that allows open and free data access while ensuring compliance with standard legal and ethical considerations within a secure environment.
“We in the PSA will always support every endeavor that will help us promote the use of our data for some policies and programs, an investment that should be used for the improvement of the quality of lives of all Filipinos,” Mapa added.
Jing Jalisan, PSA Registers and Database Management Division Information Officer III, presented the major challenges in disseminating microdata using DECs during the event.
These challenges include privacy and confidentiality, data protection, legal and ethical considerations, data linkages and identification risk, balancing access and security, data quality and documentation, as well as limited resources and expertise.
Jalisan explained the crucial benefits of disseminating microdata, such as supporting research, enhancing the credibility of official statistics, reducing duplication in data collection, and increasing the return on investment when the data’s reliability and relevance are approved.
“A Data Enclave is a highly secure and specialized facility through which confidential data such as identifiable information and firm-level data from censuses and surveys can be stored and disseminated,” he added.
The event featured an overview of the institutionalization of DECs, guidance on accessing the centers, testimonials from clients and researchers based on lessons learned and best practices, an open forum for addressing queries, and the simultaneous ribbon-cutting ceremony across the 17 regional offices.
PSA-BARMM OIC Regional Director Engr. Akan Tula, alongside the regional heads of PSA, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony in their respective areas, signifying the official launch of the nationwide DECs in the country.
Furthermore, the event marks a significant milestone for the PSA in bringing statistical products and services closer to its clients and stakeholders. This initiative, accordingly, is a response to the current demand, particularly in the context of widespread digitalization and emerging technologies. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
