Philippines – First national MDG Congress agrees on a cohesive and coordinated strategy to 2015

As a national follow through on its commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, national and local government officials, together with development partners from the United Nations, the international donor community and civil society, discussed breakthrough strategies and put forward their commitments to speed up implementation of efforts at the first ever MDG Congress held today at the Dusit Hotel, Makati City.

The event, organized jointly by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), in cooperation with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), presented the government’s “breakthrough plans” which will pave the way to ensuring that the Philippines achieves its MDG targets.

Participants of the MDG Congress also engaged in interactive breakout sessions aimed at fine-tuning the “breakthrough plans” that culminated in a ceremonial presentation of commitments to fast-track efforts to meet the goals within the next five years.

In his keynote statement, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo noted that while there have been successes in achieving some of the MDGs, there have been some obstacles, which should be looked at as opportunities.

“While the Philippines still faces considerable obstacles in attaining the MDGs, we are also considered as having pockets of ‘good practices’ that are worthy of emulation, such as in malaria control and on water management use,” he said.

“As the country’s eyes, ears and mouthpieces on global discussions regarding development assistance in the various office around the world, the DFA plays a vital role as the country’s first line of contact with our international development partner. We are committed to continue that said cooperation,” Secretary Romulo added.

UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Jacqueline Badcock commended the Aquino administration for taking heed of the need to draw up a comprehensive and coordinated government policy to ensure that the Philippines will meet the MDGs by the time the President’s term ends in 2016.

She noted that the UN Country Team will do everything to assist the government through the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and that “achieving the MDGs with equity” should be the buzz phrase driving government efforts over the next five years.

NEDA Director General Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga reported that the Philippines has made considerable strides in meeting the MDGs, including the reduction of mortality rate among children aged five years and below, reversing the incidence and death rate associated with malaria, increasing tuberculosis treatment success rate, expanding access to sanitation, and providing equal opportunities for girls in the area of education.

“However, it was also revealed that challenges remained to be hurdled in the area of universal access to elementary education, maternal mortality ratio, the rate of HIV cases, and environmental sustainability. The 2010 Philippine Progress Report on the MDGs indicated that poverty incidence among the population has gone up from 30.0 percent in 2003 to 32.9 percent in 2006,” he added.

The increase in the poverty incidence is due to the consequences of the global economic and energy crises as well as natural disasters that hit the country.

Secretary Paderanga stated that the next Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan 2010-2016 will prioritize the outcome of this MDG Congress.

The eight Millennium Development Goals are: (1) eradicate extreme hunger and poverty; (2) achieve universal primary education; (3) promote gender equality and empower women; (4) reduce child mortality; (5) improve maternal health; (6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; (7) ensure environmental sustainability; and (8) develop a global partnership for development.