The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is proud to announce the appointment of Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, as a Commissioner of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM).
In addition to his role as Commissioner, Dr. Mapa has been designated as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Social and Human Sciences. He serves alongside Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, who leads the committee as Chairperson.
Following the official oath-taking ceremony on 18 March 2026, the Committee convened its inaugural meeting to set a strategic roadmap for the nation’s international commitments. Key discussions during the session included:
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Review of UNESCO Designations: An assessment of current Philippine nominations, inscriptions, and official designations to ensure the country’s rich cultural and scientific contributions are recognized globally.
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Technical Working Group (TWG) Formation: The establishment of a new TWG dedicated to advancing capacity-building initiatives.
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Heritage Preservation: Strengthening multi-sectoral efforts to safeguard the Philippines’ tangible and intangible heritage.
UNACOM acts as the primary advisory and coordinating body between the Philippine government and UNESCO. By bridging the gap between local policy and international standards, the Commission ensures the Philippines remains a proactive leader in the fields of education, science, and cultural preservation.
Dr. Mapa’s appointment signals a data-driven approach to social sciences, leveraging his expertise in statistics to better measure and enhance the impact of UNESCO’s initiatives within the archipelago.
