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October 15, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM), in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region XII, hosted the 2026 CBMS KomuniAksyon on October 15 to discuss how official statistics can help local governments respond to community needs.
The forum focused on the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS), which provides data on household conditions that local governments can use to assess poverty, identify gaps in basic services, and plan appropriate interventions.
USM President Jonald L. Pimentel, PhD stressed the importance of using reliable, official statistics in decision-making, cautioning participants against relying on surveys that do not follow valid procedures.
“We need to have data that is official. PSA can provide that data,” Pres. Pimentel said.
The activity also helped students and faculty members see how data gathered outside the classroom can be used in research and community extension, particularly in identifying local needs and planning appropriate programs.
PSA-12 Regional Director Atty. Maqtahar Manulon thanked USM for hosting the activity and supporting the partnership formalized through a memorandum of agreement between the two institutions. He described the partnership as an example of good governance and noted that it was the first time CBMS KomuniAksyon was conducted in Region XII.
Topics included the Community-Based Monitoring System, the use of data by local government units (LGUs), official PSA statistics, access to PSA data, and data privacy. The activity was also part of the observance of National Statistics Month, celebrated every October.
USM students participated in a pitching competition and a reels challenge, providing opportunities to communicate the value of statistics through their ideas and creative outputs.
Provincial Board Member Karen Michie De Guzman represented Cotabato Governor Emmylou Lala Taliño Mendoza. Also present at the activity were USM officials, faculty members, students, PSA Region XII personnel, and representatives from local government units (LGUs).
