THE university presented five papers related to statistics in the 1st Regional Statistics Congress held Oct. 18 at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, City of San Fernando, La Union.  These were among  10 papers from various agencies in Region I that  were presented in three plenary sessions – multi-sectoral statistics, statistical computing techniques and procedures, and agricultural statistics.

The papers from the university with the respective presenters and authors are: 1) “Agroclimatic information system in MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte” by Ms. Evangeline S. Galacgac, Dr. Epifania O. Agustin, Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, Mr. Rodel C. Cabugon, and Prof. Charito G. Acosta; 2) “Optimizing soil water retention curve parameters using the extended nonlinear regression approach” by Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog; 3) “Farm stratification: A basic step in the development of farm household models to optimize resource use of agricultural households in Ilocos Norte” by Dr. Epifania O. Agustin, Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, Mr. Reynold P. Villacillo, and Prof. Charito G. Acosta; 4) “Farmers risk perceptions and risk analysis of rice-based cropping patterns in rainfed lowlands of Ilocos Norte” by Dr. Marilou P. Lucas; and 5) “Solid waste management practices of hotels and restaurants in Ilocos Norte” by Ms. Cherie B. Orpia.  The first four papers were presented during the session on agricultural statistics while the last paper, multi-sectoral statistics.

The congress was initiated as part of the celebration of the 22nd National Statistics Month with the theme “Quality social protection statistics for focused targeting: impoving outcomes, changing lives”. It aimed to provide a forum for practitioners and theoreticians in the field of statistics to discuss prevailing issues and emerging developments affecting the subnational statistical system; and elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and professionals in related fields from the government, academe, and private sectors towards a more responsive subnational system.  It was sponsored by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and Regional Statistical Coordination Committee in collaboration with the Philippine Statistical Association-Region I Chapter.