City of Koronadal, South Cotabato– Three staff from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII serve as resource speakers and workshop facilitators during the regional workshop on the alignment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the national/regional strategic priorities on August 9-11, 2017, in General Santos City.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII spearheaded the conduct of the said activity in line with its current mandate in the localization of the SDG implementation, and is supported by the NEDA XII, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XII, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XII, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) XII, Police Regional Office (PRO) XII and Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) XII.
Mr. Guillermo R. Manrique, Jr., the OIC Chief Economic Development Specialist (CEDS) of Development Research Division (DRD) presented the localization of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 towards achieving the Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the SDG or Agenda 2030.
In his presentation, he emphasized that “the PDP lays down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high trust society, and a globally-competitive knowledge economy. “
“The PDP is anchored on the 0-10 point socioeconomic agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that is geared towards the achievement of Ambisyon Natin 2040 and in the attainment of SDG”, he said.
He also shed light on the misunderstanding of some stakeholders on the Ambisyon Natin 2040 by giving emphasis that it is a vision and not a plan. He further added that “Ambisyon Natin 2040 is a long term vision for the Filipinos and the Philippines aimed to be an anchor for development planning across four administrations, and a guide for engaging with international development partners.”
Moreover, Ms. Maria Felicidad R. Guerrero, CEDS of Policy Formulation and Planning Division (PFPD) presented the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022.
Ms. Guerrero reiterated to the participants that “the formulation of the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan is anchored on sustainable development, gender and development, population and development, resiliency and volunteerism.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Gwyneth Grace B. Collado, Economic Development specialist (EDS) II of DRD presented the best practices, challenges and lessons learned during the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2000-2015.
She said that in the MDG implementation, “the Philippines has achieved a lot because of the clear institutional arrangements, multi-sectoral engagements and partnerships forge between and among the lead implementing agencies and stakeholders.”
She also mentioned the implementation of crucial programs and projects also contributed in the achievement of most MDGs.
However, “the data constraints, unequal prioritizations of MDG goals, weak implementation and monitoring at the local levels are the things that need to be improved in the implementation of SDGs.
In addition, the three NEDA XII staff also facilitated the workshops for the alignment of local strategic priorities with the Agenda 2030 and Ambisyon Natin 2040, as well as, with the National and Regional priorities and thrusts. Mr. Manrique facilitated workshop 1,-Understanding the Agenda 2030, Ms. Guerrero for workshop 2-Identification of the Flagship Program for Ambisyon 2040 and SDG/Agenda 2030, and Ms. Collado for workshop 3 – Awareness Raising Campaign on SDG/Agenda 2030.
The assistance of NEDA XII to the DILG XII activities on strengthening the Local Development Councils (LDC) and alignment workshops of local strategic priorities with the SDG and Ambisyon Natin 2040 will continue up to the provincial level. (Sandra J. Alido, NEDA XII-DRD)