Session 2 Framework of engagement: potential for big data use in the Philippines Alvin B. Marcelo, MD Medical Informatics Unit UP College of Medicine

What is the potential of using big data for official statistics in the Philippines? If fundamentals are in place, big data has a role to play with official statistics – The Fundamentals Governance (who makes decisions?) Architecture (what is the shared blueprint?) Standards (terms and their definitions, processes) Program management (who orchestrates the process?)

What are its benefits and the constraints (e.g., legal and technical challenges for data sharing and data access)? Benefits Harness more (non-traditional) data sources More data, better resolution Engage more stakeholders Constraints Diversity of sources Variations in semantics (meaning) Access to standards Data quality

Example: Electronic Medical Records 200 hospitals with some hospital information systems 1100 rural health units with electronic medical records Their data is already in electronic format – how do we get them? – Without breaching doctor-patient confidentiality – At a level of quality useful for decision making

What is needed to open up private sector data as alternative sources (concrete suggestions to move this agenda forward? Governance – include private sector in the decision-making structure Architecture – include private sector in defining the blueprint Standards – provide standards to private sector for free Program management – include private sector in the operational structure

What should be put in place in the national statistical system to enable use of big data? Governance – makes decision about the adoption of big data and the attendant conditions Architecture - a shared blueprint accessible to all stakeholders as reference Standards – accessible tools for data processing Program management – clear responsible entity overseeing the statistical system

What kind of stakeholder engagement must be facilitated to promote use of big data? Decision-makers: to be accountable for the official statistics Program managers: to understand their role in data management Researchers: to explore new insights, new methods Software developers: to implement the architecture and standards Public: to provide feedback

What kind of stakeholder engagement must be facilitated to promote use of big data? Clear governance and management structures Create opportunities for regular meetings and conferences – These serve as spaces for Transparency Advocacy Education Stakeholder engagement

Summary Yes we can use BIG DATA for official statistics – Establish governance – Mandate a shared architecture – Promote standards – Create a strong program management office