The Office of the Provincial Population Officer (OPPO) held a Focused Group Discussion (FGD) on April 8, 2025, bringing together key offices and agencies that are critical sources of programmatic and demographic data in an effort to improve population program delivery and promote evidence-based planning.
Representatives from the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (OPPDC), the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (OPSWDO), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) of South Cotabato participated in the discussion. These stakeholders provided and analyzed data necessary to guide the province’s population-related program design and implementation.
During the focus group discussion, data indicators such as adolescent pregnancy rates, maternal and child health statistics, migration trends, and access to reproductive health care were presented, validated, and harmonized. Participants collaborated to ensure that the data used by agencies is accurate, current, and aligned in order to facilitate coordination and policy formation.
This program is part of the province’s ongoing efforts to promote successful service delivery by ensuring that programs are based on sound evidence. The province government intends to build a unified strategy for addressing population concerns and improving general public health and social welfare outcomes by coordinating data from multiple areas.
In order to guarantee that any program put into place efficiently meets the needs of South Cotabato’s different populations, the PPO underlined the importance of synced data systems and shared understanding among agencies.
By incorporating cross-sectoral insights and strengthening local government units’ ability to make well-informed decisions, the activity represented a significant advancement. South Cotabato is prepared to provide more focused and significant programs that improve the standard of living for its citizens with sustained cooperation.
