2024 FLEMMS Regional Data Dissemination Forum for Negros Island Region, with the key officials from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and Department of Education, from left to right: Officer-in-Charge of PSA Siquijor, Engr. Joselito C. Maghanoy; Chief Economic Development Specialist of DepDev NIR, EnP. Marlon T. Jinon; Interim Regional Director of RSSO NIR, John F. Campomanes; National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of PSA, Usec. Claire Dennis S. Mapa PhD;  Officer-in-Charge, Policy Planning and Research Division of DepEd NIR, Serafin G. Fariñas III; and Chief Statistical Specialist of PSA Negros Oriental, Engr. Ariel T. Fortuito.

30 May 2025 – BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) – Negros Island Region (NIR) successfully hosted its 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) Regional Data Dissemination Forum on 30 May 2025. Held at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and facilitated by PSA Negros Occidental, the event brought together officials and stakeholders to unveil crucial insights into the region's educational landscape.

The 2024 FLEMMS results for Negros Island Region are in. They show that 87% of Filipinos aged 5 and over have basic literacy. This means about 9 out of 10 people in this age group can read and write. However, the survey also points to a need for more focus on practical skills, with 65.7% (about 7 out of 10) of those aged 10 to 64 being functionally literate. Functional literacy refers to applying reading, writing, math, and comprehension skills in everyday life and work.

Esteemed speakers, including Usec. Dennis S. Mapa PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, and Interim Regional Director John F. Campomanes of RSSO NIR, led the discussions. They were joined by Marlon T. Jinon from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development NIR, and Serafin G. Fariñas from the Department of Education NIR. Their presence underscored the data's vital role in regional planning.

PSA Regional Statistical Services Office Negros Island Region facilitators and staff with Interim Regional Director John F. Campomanes, Chief Statistical Specialist Engr. Ariel T. Fortuito, and Officer-in-Charge Engr. Joselito C. Maghanoy.

The forum centered on how to build on the high basic literacy rate to boost functional literacy across the region. This successful data dissemination marks a significant step for PSA RSSO NIR, providing essential information for evidence-based decisions to improve lives in the Negros Island Region.

For more updates on PSA Negros Occidental, the public may follow the office’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.page/psa0645negocc
 

SGD JOHN F. CAMPOMANES
Chief Statistical Specialist

AcED