‘RP may not meet millennium dev’t goals’

With debt servicing getting the largest share of the proposed P1.05 trillion budget for 2006, the government compromises its commitment under the Millennium Declaration to eradicate poverty and hunger, achieve universal access to primary education, improve maternal health and reduce child mortality.

The Millennium Declaration signed by the Philippines and other UN member states embodies the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which are specific targets and milestones in eliminating extreme poverty worldwide by 2015.

In the 2005 Social Watch Report, the Philippines, with a Basic Capabilities Index (BCI) of 78, falls into the group of nations in the second worst situation along with the Sub-Saharan and African countries.

The BCI merges three indicators: under-5 mortality rate, children reaching 5th grade in primary schools and births attended by skilled personnel.

Projections by Social Watch Philippines show that the country is unlikely to achieve the MDG targets because the government is not investing enough in human security.

As the fiscal deficit persists, financing the MDG has become the biggest challenge to the government.

Through the Departments of Budget, Education and Health, the government will discuss how it is responding to the challenge at the 10th Diliman Governance Forum to be held at the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UPP-NCPAG) Assembly Hall on Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 at 1:30-5:00 p.m.

With the theme, "Moving Forward with the Millennium Development Goals: May pera pa ba para sa MDGs?," the forum will focus on the issues and challenges in financing the development targets.

Guest speakers are USEC Laura B. Pascua, DBM; USEC Ramon C. Bacani, DepEd; and ASEC Mario C. Villaverde, DOH. Accordingly, reactions from the following competent individuals such as Rep. J.R. Nereus O. Acosta and Ms. Ma. Victoria Raquiza shall be delivered. Prof. Leonor Magtollis Briones will give an overview of the major issues and challenges in financing the MDGs.

For inquiries, please contact Ann Santiago at 09189352420/293-9247 or Ms. G.H. Ambat at 09195044760.