Sectors bat for localization of MDG programs

ACADEMICIANS, experts and local government executives on Wednesday called for localized implementation of projects attuned to the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), some four years before the 2015 deadline set by the United Nations.

During a two-day forum dubbed “National Policy Forum on MDG Localization” and initiated by the MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F) in partnership with the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), academicians and local chief executives highlighted the need to come up with a system to efficiently implement and monitor projects aimed at attaining the millennium goals at the local level.

According to Dr. Jacqueline Badcock, UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines, the country was reported to have “medium to high probability” of attaining the MDGs on alleviation of extreme poverty and hunger, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, reduction of child mortality and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The MDGs are eight goals set by the UN Millennium Declaration, which commits nations to a global partnership to reduce poverty.

Despite the positive outlook on the country’s performance in achieving the goals, Bad cock noted that the reports only pertained to the national-level progress rate.

“The relatively encouraging national-level data on the rate of progress of the Philippines in the attainment of the MDGs contrast with the reality at the sub-national level, thereby obscuring disparities and inequalities and creating a false sense of inclusive progress,” she said.

The country’s MDG monitoring group—Social Watch Philippines (SWP)—had said, “National statistics on the MDGs do not reveal stark realities at the community level, where ending poverty and socio-economic injustice (is) far from being realized.”
Poverty index went down from 45.3 percent in 1991 to 26.5 percent in 2009 but the actual number of poor Filipinos increased from 28.1 million in 1991 to 30 million in 2010.

“Aggregate economic growth does not reflect social injustices,” said Badcock, who maintained that there was a need to localize the millennium goals.

“To accelerate progress toward the MDGs, it is necessary to localize [these and] translate the national goals into [ones] that are relevant, applicable and attainable at the local level,” she added.

“MDGs need to be meaningful for people living in communities, so that they have ownership of their development plans, so that they can hold their governments accountable and so that they are involved in local action to achieve these goals,” the UN official said.

The call, however, is confronted by various challenges at the local level.

MDG-F consultant and UP NCPAG professor Mark Anthony Gamboa noted in a position paper that “there still exist LGUs (local government units) that are not aware about the MDGs in general and MDG localization in particular.”

He explained that “it is crucial in MDG localization that an advocacy plan and capacity-building components are in place.”

According to the consultant, the country has sufficient statutes and policies in place to implement projects attuned to the MDGs.

Gamboa said that participation of non-state groups, such as non-government organizations and the academe, could play a crucial role in localization. –FRANK LLOYD TIONGSON REPORTER, Manila Times