NSCB takes firm stand on PH growth findings

The National Statistical Coordination Board stands firm behind the methodology it used in determining the growth of the economy, which surged 7.8 percent in the first quarter from that of a year ago—the fastest recorded rate in Asia during the period.

“Our statistical system in the Philippines is one of the best in the [East Asia] region, as recognized by the World Bank,” NSCB Secretary General Jose Ramon Albert said when asked to comment on speculations that the unexpected growth rate in the first quarter could not be supported by sufficient and accurate data given the agency’s lack of resources.

Albert admitted the NSCB lacked the manpower, but he stressed that the problem does not affect the accuracy of its statistical reports.

He said that the NSCB observes the highest international standards in gathering and processing data.

“We follow UN (United Nations) standards for statistics done by many countries. Our methodology [can] withstand scientific scrutiny and is lauded by many, including the academe,” Albert said Friday at the sidelines of a forum on national health accounts organized by the NSCB.

Based on the NSCB’s report, the Philippines’ growth rate of 7.8 percent—which exceeded even that of China’s 7.7 percent—was brought on by robust government spending and private sector investments, which supported household consumption.

The Philippines’ encouraging performance caught the attention of the international community. Think tanks and credit agencies said that the Philippines stands out in a fragile global economy.

According to Albert, the NSCB is hoping to get a much bigger allocation from the national budget so it can hire more people. He said additional manpower would enable the NSCB to speed up the completion of its reports—a vital policy-making tool for government agencies.

NSCB currently has 149 employees. Only 15 employees of the NSCB collect data for the quarterly national income accounts (NIA) report on which the economy’s growth rate is based, Albert explained.

The number of workers used to be 50 about 15 years ago, he added.

NSCB’s budget for 2013 is around P100 million, which Albert considered to be very small.

He said NSCB often loses employees who, after working for the agency for a few years, tend to transfer to other institutions that offer higher salaries.

“The government has to provide more resources to statistics offices,” he added.