Socio-Economic Development Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Augusto B. Santos swore two (2) newly appointed regional directors (RDs) of the National Statistics Office (NSO) into office yesterday.

The oath-taking ceremonies of RDs Alberto N. Miranda (NSO Central Luzon) and Flordeliza J. Monteclaro (NSO MIMAROPA) were witnessed by NSO top management and senior officials headed by Administrator Carmelita Ericta and Deputy Administrator Paula Monina G. Collado. Immediate relatives of the appointees and Provincial Statistics Officers (PSOs) from their respective regions also graced the simple rites held at the NEDA sa Pasig.

Miranda was the designated Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of NSO Region III for four years prior to his appointment as regional director. He finished Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at San Jose Major Seminary, Ateneo de Manila and obtained his Master of Arts in Teaching Economics at the Notre Dame University, Cotabato City as a Ford Foundation Scholar. In 1987, he earned his Certificate in Population Studies at the Institute of Population Science, Bombay India.

This Bulakeño joined the then Bureau of the Census and Statistics In December 1970 as Junior Specialist, rose from the ranks as a result of commendable performance, and became a PSO in 1977. As PSO, Miranda was assigned to head NSO provincial offices in Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija during his more than 30 years of government service. He likewise served four years as PSO in the NSO National Capital Region.

Similarly, Monteclaro was the designated OIC of NSO Region IV-B for two years prior to her appointment as regional director. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education degree major in Mathematics at the Technological University of the Philippines. In 2002, she acquired her Master in Public Management degree from the Development Academy of the Philippines. She has also earned 27 units of Master in Educational Management from Marinduque State College.

This former classroom teacher joined the NSO in 1979 as Statistician. In August 1997, she assumed the post of PSO and was assigned to lead NSO provincial offices in Romblon, Occidental Mindoro and Marinduque. A year later, Monteclaro was also designated as OIC of NSO Region IV from August 1998 to February 1999.