DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has unveiled the 2024 Community‑Based Monitoring System (CBMS) results for Negros Oriental, painting a detailed portrait of household living conditions across the province. The data is already channeling ₱63.7 million in direct financial assistance to thousands of families.
A Clearer Picture of Household Needs
The CBMS surveyed over 372,000 households, mapping access to electricity, sanitation, education, and livelihood. The findings provide the government with granular, barangay‑level evidence to target its social protection programs. This replaces guesswork with hard numbers, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.
DSWD‑Negros Island Region Regional Director Arwin Razo confirmed that the CBMS list is the sole basis for identifying beneficiaries under the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT). A total of 31,858 Group 2 households have so far received ₱2,000 each, with the initial tranche totaling ₱63,716,000. The payout began on July 20 and will continue monthly through December, providing each family ₱12,000 over six months.
Power Gaps and Sanitation Challenges
The survey revealed stark contrasts in electricity access. While more than 77 percent of provincial households have power, Dumaguete City led with 95.36 percent coverage, while Ayungon in the first district lagged at 62.87 percent. These numbers point local electric cooperatives to the exact communities still waiting for reliable connections.
Sanitation remains a pressing concern. The CBMS recorded 27,848 households without sanitary toilets, with open defecation concentrated in five cities and municipalities. Local government units plan to use these household‑level coordinates to intensify the Zero Open Defecation program, directly improving public health in the hardest‑hit areas.
Youth Out of School
The data also captured 13,334 young people aged 16 to 21 who are not attending school, with males comprising 55.39 percent of that group. The reasons cited include pregnancy, early marriage, employment, job‑seeking, and lack of personal interest. PSA Provincial Statistical Officer Ariel Fortuito said the figures give the Department of Education a solid evidence base for designing alternative learning and vocational programs that can re‑engage these youth.
Data into Action
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has cited the CBMS as the backbone of the government’s anti‑poverty and social protection push. By using updated, localized data, agencies can calibrate interventions more accurately, whether that means extending electricity lines, building sanitary toilets, or delivering cash grants. The immediate UPLIFT disbursement proves that the system is working, channeling timely support to families grappling with rising costs.
