GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, recently graced the turnover of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat.

He also visited the PSA offices in the Soccsksargen region.

During his visit to General Santos City, Mapa also had a meeting at the Grand Summit Hotel with City Planning and Development Office Assistant Head Dennis Fel Matutina and Mayor Lorelie Geronimo-Pacquiao's Executive Assistant Francis Canlas to discuss the implementation and importance of CBMS as a tool for local governments, particularly as a reference for the planning and formulation of vital governance policies.

According to PSA Sarangani, the meeting primarily aimed to provide guidance and clarifications since General Santos City will host and fund its own CBMS being a "highly urbanized city."

The upcoming event, however, will be undertaken through "a third party with technical assistance from the PSA."

Moreover, during the meeting, Mapa commended the city government for its active participation and cooperation in CBMS implementation, as evidenced by its allocation of funding to the project.

The official was also accompanied by Assistant National Statistician Kristine Joy S. Briones and Regional Director Maqtahar L. Manulon, as well as Chief Statistical Specialist for Sarangani, Ismael B. Ramos Jr.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's representatives also relayed her message and provided direction for the city's role in the CBMS implementation project. 

They also expressed the city government's gratitude to the PSA for its collaborative support for the city and other LGUs in the region.

CBMS aims to provide city- and barangay-level data that will enable them to identify specific areas for improvement and implement the necessary interventions for the best interests of their constituents. (STAT/KSD/PSA Sarangani)