𝐁𝐏𝐃𝐀 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 ‘𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭’

COTABATO CITY — Led by the Information and Knowledge Management Division (IKMD), the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) trained around forty-five (45) employees on ‘Open Data Format’ during a lecture-workshop held last April 5-6, 2022 to enhance their skills in managing data and information.

This two-day lecture-workshop aims to educate the said employees to create an open data format that includes preparation of a clean dataset, use of pivot for analyzing data, visualize data through visualization tools and maps, and creation of infographics.

According to Engr. Kadil A. Sulaik, Jr., Director of Research and Development and Special Projects Bureau (RDSPB), underscored that the BPDA supports the Bangsamoro Government in promoting transparency in the BARMM. 

“We strive to uphold this thrust of our regional government.  Hence, thru IKMD, this office came up with the initiative to conduct this training to promote awareness on Open Data Philippines,” he said.

He also emphasized that this training could possibly help in generating a Knowledge Management System for the BPDA.

Leanabai Sakal-Morales, Information Technology Officer of BPDA, introduced to the participants the ‘data.gov.ph’ – a portal serving as a platform for an Open Government Data Ecosystem which includes harmonizing data disclosure policies.

“This portal will make government datasets searchable, understandable, and accessible,” she stressed.

The said government platform is being develop and lead by Open Data Philippines (ODPH) Task Force composed of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson (OPS), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO).

John Anthony Ocumen, resource person from the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), said that open data is widely important as it allows other agencies or sectors to easily access public sector information saying “It stores and links all available government data to allow users to find specific information from a rich collection of public datasets shared by various government agencies.”

Meanwhile, Sakal and Ocumen facilitated the hands-on activities on data cleaning, data analysis, data visualization, and creating infographics.

Following the workshop, the participants who displayed an exemplary effort during the hands-on activities were given recognition and received an award including cash, token, and certificate.

Abdulrahim K. Mama, head of IKMD, expressed his desire for the participants to apply these learnings in their day-to-day activities particularly in managing their division’s data and information.

“We are hopeful that this workshop can be of help to everyone, especially to those who are undergoing data consolidation and analysis in planning for the Bangsamoro,” he said.

Moreover, token and Certificates were given away by Deputy Director Amil Abubakar to all winners and participants