Challenges and opportunities in the coordination of a decentralized statistical system

Issue title: Evolution of National Statistical Systems

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Virola, Romulo A.

Affiliations: Secretary General of the National Statistical Coordination Board, Philippines. E-mail: ra.virola@nscb.gov.ph

Abstract: National Statistical Systems (NSS) have been classified as "centralized" or "decentralized". Given their distinctive features, centralized statistical systems can be more efficient, but decentralized systems can be more effective. Regardless of the extent of centralization or decentralization of a statistical system, the eighth Fundamental Principle of Official Statistics (FPOS) is of utmost relevance – coordination among statistical agencies within countries is essential to achieve consistency and efficiency in the statistical system. The coordination of the NSS is usually the function of the National Statistics Office (NSO) and the Philippines is probably the only country where the coordination of the NSS rests in a separate agency created specifically for the purpose. This paper describes the organization of the Philippine Statistical System, presents the mechanisms for coordination, dissemination and advocacy existing therein and concludes with a discussion of challenges and opportunities.

Keywords: National statistical system, centralized, decentralized, coordination, dissemination, advocacy, challenges, opportunities

Journal: Statistical Journal of the IAOS, vol. 24, no. 1-2, pp. 93-102, 2007