MEKK FEB UI First Lecture Odd Semester 2021/2022: Disaster Statistics
Rifdah Khalisha – Public Relations FEB UI
DEPOK – (28/8/2021) On Saturday (28/8, Dr. Margo Yuwono (Head of the Central Statistics Agency) was a speaker at the inaugural Lecture of the Master of Population and Employment Economics Study Program (MEKK) FEB UI Odd Semester 2021/2022. This inaugural lecture raised the topic of “Disaster Statistics”.
As Acting Dean of FEB UI, Teguh Dartanto welcomed the inaugural lecture to MEKK students, “I see many students who come from more diverse backgrounds. Therefore, this will be a very good open space for learning from each other so that it enriches insight and views on every issue.”
Since the case of COVID-10 entered Indonesia, there have been drastic changes in all aspects of life, including statistical activities by statistical offices globally. During the pandemic, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) must handle the limitations of interaction, mobility, budget, procurement, officers, business activities, and others.
Margo said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the value chain of statistical activities. In terms of providing data, there are limitations in human resources, information technology infrastructure, budget, and coordination. Meanwhile, in terms of data needs, crisis management increasingly requires ad hoc data and administrative data.”
This aspect certainly contributes to put pressure on the national statistical system. Therefore, the statistics office needs to adapt and transform, starting from ensuring continuity, adjusting and strengthening business processes to ensure the availability of quality statistical data; data solutions, responding to the provision of statistical data in emergency conditions quickly, improving understanding and utilization of statistical data in policy making; to managing workflow, adapting work culture and ecosystems to pandemic conditions and technology disruption.
In addition, BPS is also active in implementing changes to other activities, such as government budget efficiency, adaptation of statistical business processes, optimizing the use of technology, and implementing flexible work or working from home.
According to Margo, BPS applies several things to adapt statistical activities. First, optimizing panel sample collection by reducing the duration of enumeration and face-to-face meetings. Second, utilizing data collection by combining previous questionnaires, using statistical models, and reducing the duration of face-to-face interviews. Third, increasing the use of information technology in data collection mode.
Margo said, “The COVID-19 case seems to provide a strong signal for statisticians at BPS to make breakthroughs, for example using big data for official statistics. BPS itself has started using it since 2016 ago.”
“In its management, BPS processes several big data in the form of social media, news, population mobility, market workshops, the environment, job vacancies, flights, online accommodation reservations, satellite imagery, and mobile phone data. We use big data to complement official statistical information and produce official statistics,” he continued.
It is a proven fact that BPS was able to complete all activities and achieve targets according to schedule, both routine survey activities and other national priority activities. During the pandemic, BPS continued to fulfill its commitment to providing strategic indicators in the form of releases on economic growth, inflation, poverty and inequality, unemployment, international trade, tourism and transportation, farmer exchange rates, and others.
All releases are available on a monthly, semi-annual or quarterly term.
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