The country has achieved a near-universal primary enrollment rate of 94.2 percent in 2017 under Quality Education or SDG 4, and improved access to education for vulnerable groups. #SDG #UNDay

Children at a pre-school mark UN Day with a costume show. (RJO Sablay)

MANILA – On United Nations Day, the Philippines renewed its commitment through a “decade of action” for delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

With only 10 years before the deadline, the Philippines expressed its support to the call of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to find solutions and accelerate efforts to achieve the SDG. Globally, he cited progress made in areas such as access to energy, to decent work, and in fighting extreme poverty and child mortality.

The Philippines, in its second Voluntary National Review (VNR), has shown progress in achieving the global goals based on the report of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The country has achieved a near-universal primary enrollment rate of 94.2 percent in 2017 under Quality Education or SDG 4, and improved access to education for vulnerable groups. There were also significant increases in completion rates for primary and secondary education by more than 8 and 10 percent in the past two years.

On decent work and economic growth or SDG 8, the Philippines recorded a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of over 6 percent as well as the lowest national unemployment rate in almost 15 years. The Green Jobs Act further promoted decent jobs that are environment-friendly, protect the ecosystem and biodiversity, and help reduce waste generation and pollution.

The private sector also brought inclusive business models and value chains, while disadvantaged groups availed of livelihood support programs to lift communities out of poverty. To promote social protection and to narrow the gap between male and female labor force, the country has also expanded maternity leave benefits and extended its conditional cash transfer to poor families.

On reduced inequalities or SDG 10, data showed a significant growth rate in the household income per capita of the bottom 40 percent of the population, private companies now hire more persons with disability, and poor communities were also empowered though a community-driven development approach.

On climate action or SDG 13, the Philippines ranks third in the world as “most vulnerable to hazards” but data showed a decrease in persons directly affected by disasters from 2015 to 2018.

On peace, justice, and strong institutions or SDG 16, cumulative initiatives including those by the international community resulted to the Bangsamoro Organic Law to address the conflict in Mindanao. The National ID System, the government’s digital identification platform, is under implementation to facilitate access of the marginalized to government assistance, among others.

A whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach is, however, crucial to sustain the progress that has been made to address remaining challenges, realize aspirations, and ensure that no one is left behind.

The Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development (PFSD) further promotes a convergence of the global goals and national priorities of the Philippines. The PFSD is the first Philippines-UN country plan to deliver as one and is based on three desired outcomes or pillars of actions: People, Prosperity and Planet, and Peace.

The PFSD is at the heart of this year’s UN Day celebration and common action towards a more inclusive growth as well as a high-trust and resilient society.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and in partnership with the UN, led this year’s UN Day celebration to usher in a decade of delivery for the SDGs and to bring in key actors for the PFSD.

A Broadway musical by the Repertory Philippines is presented to creatively engage government agencies, development partners, private sector, non-government and civil society organizations, and key partners to intensity efforts for the global goals. The UN Day celebration was held on 24 October at the Samsung Hall of the SM Aura.

Every year, the DFA and the UN Country Team in the Philippines co-hosts the UN Day celebration in pursuit of common goals. The Philippines, as one the founding members of the UN, was among the first signatories of the UN Charter in June 1945 along with 49 other countries. October 24 has been celebrated globally as UN Day since 1948.