Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary for the Office of the Secretary Aleli Dulce B. Bawagan is slated to read the Philippines’ Country Paper to the 55th Session of the United Nations Commission on Social Development in New York.
The proceedings will be from Feb. 1-10, 2017 in New York and the session wherein Asec. Bawagan will be participating is “Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all.”
“This session of the Commission on Social Development is very important: there is a continuing need to change political and economic policies and social structures to work for the marginalized, e.g. having an accountable government; encourage participatory governance; improve on human development,” Asec. Bawagan said.
In the paper prepared jointly by her as representing the DSWD and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Asec. Bawagan said that the Philippines strongly supports the development of strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all, leaving no one behind, in accordance with respective capacities and domestic laws.
“As no country in the world is without challenges, the Philippines, too, continues to grapple with many global, regional and domestic problems. Although it has seen high economic growth in recent years, the poverty incidence as of 2015 remains high at 21.6%. To reduce the poverty incidence, the Country is doubling its efforts towards strengthening the economy and equalizing opportunities for all. The Philippines is strengthening the monitoring and implementation of “anti-poor” practices, such as illegal “contractualization,” she said.
Asec. Bawagan also reported that the Philippine government continues to implement policies that aim to promote wise use of its resources, good governance, and zero-tolerance for corruption.
“We are also making efforts to reach out to the most vulnerable in Philippine society – among them are persons with disabilities (PWDs), older persons, women and children in conflict-affected areas, and the youth, who are vulnerable due to the proliferation of illegal drugs,” she said.
Among the gains the Philippine contingent is reporting are the government’s achievements in Universal Health Care, with revenues generated through taxation of tobacco and alcohol.
“We continue to make efforts to ensure that poor families provided with Conditional Cash Transfers are able to send their children to school and seek medical assistance. Laws passed recently further increased benefits for PWDs and older persons. The participation of the youth in nation-building, and in the promotion and achievement of sustainable development goals is encouraged including volunteerism, governance and representation in the executive and legislative branches of government, as well as involvement in non-government and other civil society organizations,” she said.
Asec. Bawagan also describe the government’s current strategies.
“These take on a “whole of government” approach. The anti-poverty programs include asset reforms, including distribution of agrarian land to farmer-beneficiaries and tax reform measures geared towards sheltering the poor and the lower middle class, revisiting labor laws and policies with a view to ending “illegal” contractualization, providing jobs and decent wages, and targeted skills and livelihood trainings,” she said.
In the meantime, the Philippine government led by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte continues to pursue peace negotiations as a step to bring about real and lasting development.
“The government is committed to channel development programs into conflict-affected areas, to secure gains and sustain peace and development,” she said.
She also shared that multi-sectoral consultations for the crafting of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, are underway. Regional and national consultations involve representatives from the legislature, executive agencies, local governments, business sector, academe, civil society, the youth, and other stakeholders.
The long-term vision is that by 2040, “the Philippines will be a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor; where the people will live long and healthy lives, be smart and innovative, and will live in a high-trust society.”
The strategies to achieve this vision are through the Filipino values of “Malasakit”, or enhancing the social fabric, “Pagbabago” or change through reducing inequality, and “Kaunlaran” or increasing potential growth. They are supported by a strong foundation in national peace and security, strategic and accelerated infrastructure development, resiliency, and ecological integrity.
Prior to leaving for New York, Asec. Bawagan said that the DSWD is now implementing its mandate to help the poorest of the poor among Filipinos, and it is guided by reports revealing the increasing poverty incidence in the country.
“Poverty incidence among Filipinos in 2015 was estimated at 21.6 percent (PSA, 2016. Poverty incidence among Filipinos registered at 21.6% in 2015 – PSA. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/poverty-
Asec. Aleli said that the government is making efforts to improve the national economy.
“However, it cannot be denied that growth is not felt by the poor majority; wealth of 10 richest Filipinos grew 220% within 2010-2015 while the real value of the average daily basic pay of wage and salary workers rose by just 5.3% (Ibon, 2017. Meaningfully distribute income, wealth and assets. Retrieved from http://ibon.org/2017/01/
“The government is determined to support and promote the programs to eradicate poverty and to make full use of its communication resources utilizing multi-media platforms to inform, engage, empower all social groups down to the grassroots level to achieve sustainable development for all,” she concluded. ###
