Gov't vows to double efforts on human development

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government todayassured that it will double its efforts to ensure human development in the country through various programs and initiatives that will benefit the poor.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) made the statement following the release of the "2013 Human Development Report" of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"The government will continue to double its efforts in ensuring human development in the country through programs such as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (conditional cash transfer), the National Health Insurance Program and other pro-poor initiatives," said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

The 2013 Human Development Report ranked the Philippines 114 among 187 countries, with a medium Human Development Index (HDI) at 0.654 as of 2012. HDI is a composite index of health, education and income.

Balisacan noted that in Southeast Asia, the Philippines' HDI is higher than Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Thailand and Malaysia, however, fared better than the Philippines in terms of HDI.

NEDA said, however, the pace of improvement in HDI over the past three decades is much slower in the Philippines than in most of its major East Asian neighbors, particularly Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Balisacan said the Philippines has achieved three of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of the 2015 target.

Citing the "2012 MDGs Regional Report: Where We Stand," NEDA noted that the Philippines is an "early achiever" in the areas of gender equality, disease control, and environmental sustainability.

MDGs are time-bound targets set by the United Nations to eradicate poverty, hunger and other deprivations.