The Importance, Relevance of Statistics

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MANILA, Philippines - Numbers intimidate. So said one of the speakers at the recent consultative workshop held by the National Statistical Coordinating Board (NSCB) for the formulation of the Philippine Statistical Development Program (PSDP) 2011-2017. Perhaps this is one reason why, other than its being almost incomprehensible to most laymen, statistics is not given as much attention as it should be by most people and especially by those in authority, such as those who have the power of the purse. In his welcome remarks, Dr. Romulo A. Virola, Secretary General of the NSCB, bewailed the fact that the government has not invested enough in statistics and has even scaled down statistical budgets …