The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), through its UPV Statistical Society (UPV StatSoc), reclaimed the title of Western Visayas’ “Best NSM Agency” during the 37th National Statistics Month (NSM) Closing and Awarding Ceremony at Casa Real de Iloilo, October 29.
This marks the organization’s fourth win, following its three consecutive victories in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
With this year’s theme, “Tuklas Pilipinas: Statistics as Beacon Towards Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Tourism,” UPV StatSoc took part in the regional celebration through competitions, collaborative activities, and initiatives within the university.
Among its major contest achievements, UPV StatSoc secured third place in both the Statistical Infographics Contest and the Statistical Infomercial Contest. The organization also placed third in the StatStory Reels Challenge.
Beyond the competitions, UPV StatSoc co-hosted the mainstay Western Visayas Junior High School Regional Statistics Quiz with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and the Philippine Statistical Association, Inc. (PSAI). It also organized the regional E-Poster Making Contest for High School Students in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority Region VI (PSA 6).
Within the university, the organization conducted a diverse range of activities aimed at making statistics more accessible and relevant to the UPV community. These included Free Tabulation Services, Data Blunders, Statcasm: Stat Meme Competition, Free Statistical Consultation Services, StatShirt Day, and a series of video information drives.
Other initiatives included StatForum: Online Symposium, LaTeX Workshop, Internference: Pre-Internship Seminar, Plot Your Future: Career Expo, Alumni Talks, and StatDemo: Jamovi and Its R Plugins. Through these activities, UPV StatSoc provided students with opportunities to strengthen their statistical knowledge, technical skills, and career readiness.
The “Best NSM Agency” award recognizes agencies that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting statistics through the diversity of their in-house initiatives, active participation in regional and national NSM activities, volunteerism, and willingness to share resources and expertise. These criteria highlight not only the breadth of an agency’s own initiatives but also its contributions to the broader regional celebration.
UPV StatSoc earned the recognition among approximately 58 participating NSM agencies in Western Visayas, which included academic institutions, regional line agencies, local government units, and private-sector organizations.
Ariane Tutor, president of UPV StatSoc, received the recognition on behalf of the organization, alongside its faculty adviser, Glenn Ivan Macitas, and co-adviser, Prof. Leah Araneta.
“I offer my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our advisers, Statistics faculty, the UPV Statistical Society Executive Committee, NSM volunteers, and the entire UPV Statistical Society,” Tutor expressed.
The Search for the Best NSM Agency in Western Visayas was established in 2003 as a parallel regional initiative following the region’s recognition as the first “Best NSM Region” in 2002 during the 13th National Statistics Month.
Established in 1990 through Presidential Proclamation No. 647, the National Statistics Month is observed every October to promote awareness and appreciation of the importance of statistics in national development and informed decision-making.
Written by Phil Liam Nono
