27 May 2025– Guimaras. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Guimaras has successfully completed 100% of the 2024 POPCEN-CBMS Geotagging of Service Facilities and Government Projects (SFGP) across all 98 barangays of the province as of April 2025, marking a major step in strengthening evidence-based local development planning and governance.

The province-wide initiative, led by Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida B. Losare, focused on the accurate geotagging of key infrastructure such as schools, health centers, roads, water sources, and government projects to enhance the quality and accessibility of local data for planning and program implementation.

“We are proud to report that Guimaras has accomplished all assigned CBMS tasks for this phase, ensuring that our local leaders and national agencies are equipped with reliable, location-specific data,” Losare said.

To carry out the operations, four Map Data Collectors were deployed across the province to gather geolocation data. The collected information was processed into shapefiles by a dedicated Map Data Processor and meticulously checked by a Map Data Reviewer, which was completed by April 2025.

“These spatial datasets will support the creation of thematic and poverty maps, enabling targeted interventions for poverty alleviation, infrastructure planning, and disaster preparedness,” Losare said.

In addition to geotagging, the PSA Guimaras also conducted the Listing of Building Constructions (LoBC) to gather critical data on the type, number, value, duration, and permit status of ongoing and completed construction activities.

“These data will feed into national construction statistics and help identify trends in informal housing and infrastructure development,” Lsoare said.

To ensure the integrity and completeness of infrastructure records, PSA also utilized the CBMS Form 8, which updates features previously recorded during the 2022 and 2023 CBMS operations and covers new and unlisted facilities and projects identified during the 2024 SFGP listing.

“The Form 8 updates are essential in preventing data gaps and ensuring that all public assets, both new and existing, are captured accurately,” Losare added.

Losare emphasized that post-evaluation and data validation activities were conducted to ensure the accuracy and consistency of all geotagged points, attributes, and shapefiles.

“This process involves cross-checking on-the-ground data with digital outputs to ensure alignment before submission to higher offices,” Losare said.

“Validation is a critical part of our quality assurance process. We want to ensure that what we report truly reflects the situation in the barangays,” Losare added.

The data review and validation, allowing municipal governments to verify and ensure the accuracy of their data, is scheduled for July 2025. Data turnover will follow, wherein the validated datasets from all municipalities will be consolidated and officially submitted as a single package representing the entire province.

“These comprehensive datasets will play a crucial role in shaping national statistics, guiding policy decisions, and determining funding priorities,” Losare said.

“We aim to deliver not only on time, but with the highest standards of accuracy and utility,” Losare added.

Losare further emphazised that with full CBMS geotagging coverage now achieved, PSA Guimaras strengthens its role in promoting inclusive, data-informed governance by enabling local leaders to respond more effectively to the needs of their communities.

“This is more than just data collection—it’s about building a foundation for smarter governance, resilient communities, and a better quality of life for every Guimarasnon,” Losare concluded.