GUIMARAS DATA FESTIVAL WRAPS UP WITH KABATAAN FIRST DATA SUMMIT

The first ever Guimaras Data Festival concluded on 4 November 2024, marking a successful celebration of data literacy and innovation in the island province.

The month-long festivities capped off with Kabataan FIRST Data Summit, a dedicated event focused on youth engagement with data-driven insights and technology.

The activity which was held at the Provincial Capitol Grounds in San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras featured Statistical Oration Contest, NSM Jingle Dance Contest, Data Expo, and Poster Making Contest.

With Data Festival, Guimaras has set the bar high with the involvement of the youth in the month-long festivities, according to Governor JC Rahman A. Nava MD. He expressed gratitude to partner agencies and stakeholders who contributed to the success of the festival.

“I would like to thank everyone who joined and contributed in making this month-long celebration nga in a way also has given recognition to the province as Best LGU Advocate for Statistics. So, I think nag-step up pa gid kita subong nga tu-ig kag we involved the youth. Thank you so much for your participation kag ini is a matter of putting into your subconsciousness the importance of data. So, I hope there will be more pa gid sa dason nga tu-ig kag I hope this would be part of the system of Provincial Government and of course of all agencies in Guimaras that, data and statistics will always be there to guide us in our plans for the future of the Province of Guimaras,” Governor Nava said.

The Municipality of Jordan was declared as the overall champion for Kabataan FIRST Data Summit followed by the Municipality of San Lorenzo and Municipality of Buenavista. Each has received a plaque of recognition.

Guimaras Provincial Health Office won the Data Expo while the Provincial Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Jordan Municipal Planning and Development Office (MPDO) came second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of San Lorenzo, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Guimaras, Guimaras State University, Municipality of Nueva Valencia, and the Municipality of Sibunag were recognized as most promising member agencies/offices of the Provincial Statistics Committee in the Inter-Agency Campaign on Data Festival.

‘Trisha May D. Galvez from Jordan National High School won the Statistical Oration Contest and received Php 3,000. The second place went to Aira M. Tanaleon of Desiderio C. Gange National High School and received Php 2,000 while Aamirah Jean G. Zurbito of Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Memorial High School received Php 1,000 after placing third.

Jordan National High School won the NSM Jingle Dance Contest and took home Php 5,000. Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Memorial High School came second with a prize of Php 3,000 and Supang National High School received Php 2,000 after placing third.

Matt Jaeden Garganera of Cresente P. Chavez Central School won the Poster Making Contest elementary category and received a cash prize of Php 3,000. Buenavista Central School’s Maxien Grace D. Ello placed second with a prize of Php 2,000 while Xian Michael Aquino of Aguilar Elementary School placed third with a prize of Php 1,000.

The Digital Poster Making Contest was won by Jhon Ivan E. De Asis of Desiderio C. Gange National High School and got a cash prize of Php 3,000. Dyriene Aimar H. Pormon of Nueva Valencia National High School received Php 2,000 as second placer and Thunder Major Jhet F. Bawiga of Buenavista National High School placed third with a prize of Php 1,000.

The Kabataan FIRST Data Summit centered on equipping young people with essential data literacy skills, fostering awareness of data’s role in social development, and empowering youth to utilize data in meaningful ways for community improvement. It is part of a broader initiative of the Provincial Government of Guimaras through the Provincial Statistics Committee to strengthen data literacy among the next generation, empowering them to become advocates for evidence-based policymaking and civic engagement. This approach aligns with the Philippine government’s goals of fostering digital literacy and innovation, particularly as data becomes increasingly central to addressing societal challenges and promoting progress.

Guimaras Data Festival, conducted in line with the celebration of the 35th National Statistics Month, has established itself as a cornerstone event for data advocacy in the region, inspiring other localities to embrace data literacy and digital transformation. As the festival wraps up, the momentum it created continues to drive initiatives focused on building a data-empowered generation, ultimately contributing to the island’s vision for sustainable progress.