25 April 2016 – The Philippines has started steps to implement its own Development Agenda vis-à-vis the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra led the Philippine Delegation to the High Level Thematic Debate at the United Nations Headquarters today where he shared the Philippines’ initiatives to energize the 2030 Agenda since its adoption in September 2015.

Secretary Esguerra was joined by Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre, and Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, National Statistician and head of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“Our ministry for socioeconomic planning is leading the effort to institutionalize SDGs in the country’s development planning, investment programming and budgeting. Subsequent efforts will also include mobilizing our local government units and communities to help localize the SDGs and mainstream them into local plans and programs. Accordingly, we shall include SDGs in the Philippine Statistical Development Program to ensure that data collection to support the SDG indicators will receive funding from the regular budget,” he said.

Secretary Esguerra added that multi-stakeholder consultations have been conducted to assess the proposed global indicators based on their importance, availability and relevance to the country’s context.

Through the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippines expects to put in place a robust monitoring system to ensure systematic and timely gathering of data for the regular tracking of progress and accomplishments.

“Moving forward, the Philippines will formulate an SDG Implementation Roadmap to serve as an overall framework to guide government and other key stakeholders on the necessary actions, resources, responsibilities and partnerships to ensure the success of SDG implementation. Gender equality, climate resiliency, and fiscal responsibility shall inform this roadmap,” Secretary Esguerra said.

He stressed that successful attainment of the SDGs is best ensured by the informed participation of all stakeholders in decision-making, implementation, and monitoring and review of progress.

“To this end, we will need to strengthen national capacities, especially those of local leaders and communities who will directly work towards the attainment of the SDGs,” Secretary Esguerra said. END