Fifteen participants (11 from LGU Pigkawayan alone!) registered for the MS Excel and Powerpoint Workshop held at Elleitech Internet Cafe. The workshop started last Wednesday, June 24th with a preliminary workshop on Powerpoint given by Karla Fusilero of the National Statistics Office.

The dinner was held at I.Antipolo BBQ Store at San Pedro Stree, Barangay Lagao.


On the second day, Prof. Ranilyn Orang, MSIT from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University gave her whole day workshop on MS Excel.

Finally, the whole workshop was capped by a visit to the Sarangani Highlands for a dinner treat to the participants and the coordinating team composed of Riza Nacar, Marilou Liloc and Trifony Danlag.

This workshop is a regular offering of the Association and part of the series of continuing professional education (CPE) requirements of local government and non government personnel.

Yesterday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Santos City has finally approved the accreditation of PSA SOCCSKSARGEN Inc. as a non-government organization. With this updates, comes major triumph for the organization as it will soon embark on major engagement with the local government.

This is also a feather in the cap for the Association. As far as we know, this is the only chapter of PSA which has gained an NGO accreditation.

It is our pleasure to invite you to the 1st PSA Regional Convention that will take place from 17-18 September, 2009 in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. The convention is jointly organized by the PSA SOCCSKSARGEN Inc. International Institute for Community Development and Transformation, Inc. (IICDT) and Philippine Societal Advancement through Research and Educational Initiative Inc (PSAREI).

The main goal of this regional convention is to provide an opportunity for researchers in statistics, data analysts, and other professionals from various statistical and related fields to come together, present their research, and learn from each other. A two days program consists of invited paper presentations, contributed paper sections, and finishes with a workshop. Cross-discipline and applied paper submissions are especially welcome.

The registration fee is Php 1,800 (to be paid on or before August 15) and Php 2,300 (paid between August 16 and September 17). The fee covers 2 luncheon, 4 snacks, workshop kit and certificate.

Statistical advocates will soon meet for the 1st PSA Regional Conference slated between 17 and 18 September 2009 at Koronadal City, South Cotabato. This was recently disclosed by Judith C. Janiola, president of the Philippine Statistical Association SOCCSKSARGEN Inc.

Interested parties may contact the Secretariat (rnacar@philstat.org - Riza Nacar)

Vice President Dr. Edgar Manubag has represented the Association during the committee hearing at the city's Sanggunian Panlungsod last June 11th for PSA request for NGO accreditation to the local government of General Santos City.

The committee is made of the following city councilors: Milleza, Dante, Santos, Atendido and Natividad.

Chairperson Milleza assured the Association representatives of the eventual accreditation of the group within June.

On the invitation of the secretariat of the Sarangani Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Judith Janiola attended the Conal Holding's dinner meeting held at Grab-a-Crab resto on June 5th.

Highlights of this event was a corporate presentation on Cona's latest investment on coal-fired power plant in Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani Province.

A few business leaders from the city and provincial chambers came for this event. No less than Joseph Nocos, Conal's VP for Business Development did the persentation.