ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, CONSERVATION, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Launching of the 2nd Philippines Progress Report on the MDGs,Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel, June 16, 2005

SALUTATION

Ms. Deborah Landey, fellow cabinet members and colleagues in government, Prof. Liling Briones, Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, excellencies, guests – ladies and gentlemen.

Magandang umaga!

First, let me congratulate the National Economic Development Authority and the United Nations country team for preparing the second Philippines progress report on the millennium development goals. This report provides a very clear guide to us on where the country now stands in meeting our commitment to the global community and more importantly, to the Filipino people.

What do the mdgs mean to us?

The millennium development goals serve as our guide in pursuing our people’s right to development.

The mdgs represent our hope for a better life for filipinos and our dream of a more prosperous nation.

The mdgs deal with poverty eradication, access to quality health services and education, environmental sustainability and collective responsibility of rich and poor nations to the development of all.

The mdgs embody the aspirations of the whole world and our citizens.

Defining roles

I have always believed that the role of government is to lead and guide the people towards the common good.

The government facilitates and the government provides the enabling environment. I am glad that the mdgs support this view.

For example, the housing and urban development coordinating council, as the highest policy making body in housing and urban development, has been designated to take the lead in addressing target 12 of goal 7 which is to provide adequate housing to at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2015.

We at HUDCC take this commitment seriously.

At the policy level, the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) revised the guidelines of the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) to increase loan ceilings to facilitate security of land tenure for informal settlers. Our president through Executive Order no. 272 has also authorized the creation of the social housing finance corporation to cater to the shelter financing needs of the bottom 30% of the population.

I realize that attaining the target of 100 million slum dwellers by 2015 is a daunting task. Hence, we are working closely with the private sector and with institutions who share our desire to help the homeless. Some of these initiatives are the couples for christ gawad kalinga 777 project, the habitat for humanity project, and the step-up program of the philippine business for social progress in partnership with the japan fund for poverty reduction through the Asian Development Bank.

Let me also emphasize that the Philippine government has recognized the strategic importance of basic human rights and principles such as participation and empowerment through multi-sectoral partnerships. We need to coordinate with the academe, government agencies, ngos, civil society organizations, and the business sector in pushing our agenda forward.

If we are to succeed, our programs and processes should be responsive and relevant to the country’s context and culture.

Filipinos at the center

Since the filipino is at the center of development, people’s participation should be highlighted. Our basic sectors should be empowered to take a major role in fostering ownership of their development, and progressive realization of their basic human rights.

Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan nating mga pilipino na hubugin ang ating kinabukasan. Kaya naman bilang mga mamamayan, dapat tayong makibahagi sa pagsulong ng ating mga layuning pangkaunlaran. Hanapin natin ang mga paraan upang maging instrumento tayo ng pagbabagong-panlipunan at paglaban sa kahirapan.

As citizens, we should all take part in achieving these goals. Let us look for the many avenues by which we could contribute to reducing poverty.

Finance programs to support the mdgs

As you very well know, your government has taken concrete actions in generating the much-needed resources to get our anti-poverty programs moving on-ground.

Alam naman nating lahat na nagta-trabaho ang gobyerno upang makakuha ng pondo para sa anti-poverty programs. At alam din natin kung gaano kahirap maghanap ng salaping panustos sa ating mga programa.

Inaamin ko na meron ding mga pagkukulang ang ating pamahalaan. Maraming problemang pang-pulitikal at pang-ekonomiya na di agad natutugunan.

There are many problems that cannot be solved overnight. Neither will I advocate for quick-fix solutions to the issues that beset our country today.

That is why we need each other to learn and accept our shortcomings. Kailangan natin ang suporta ng bawat isa. And from this, let us muster the courage to work together and achieve our targets by 2015.

Subalit hangga’t nandiyan kayo at patuloy na nagta-trabaho, ako ay hindi panghihinaan ng loob.

Magtulungan tayo, at sabay nating harapin ang mga problema ng kahirapan.

Closing

In closing, let me say that on a personal note, i play the role of a father and now a grandfather. Just like many of you, i do not want to see my children and my grand children live in uncertainty amidst a nation beset by a growing population living in extreme poverty, hunger and other forms of deprivation. I know that we have the power to change our destiny.

This is why, as your vice-president, I am fully committed to working closely with our president, the various government line agencies, LGUs, national and international development organizations, ngos, and civil society groups in pursuing the administration’s 10-point agenda and the millennium development goals.

Your government shall be steadfast and focused on our development targets.

Manatiling masigasig ang ating pamahalaan sa pagsulong ng millenium development goals.

Ako mismo ay magbabantay sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno upang masigurong patuloy nating isasagawa ang ating mga ipinangakong programa.

I now call on each of you to get ready, roll up your sleeves, and start working towards our dream of a better life for all.

In my own personal capacity, let me assure you that I will be deliberate in following up the developments on each target and every goal.

I thank the United Nations for continuously stirring the course of the millennium development goals and in its full support and trust in this administration.

To neda and the various government units, I say keep up the good work. Our job in government is a thankless one. But at the end of the day, I assure you that a job well done will never go unnoticed in the eyes of the filipino people whom we have committed to serve. Most importantly our efforts to uplift the lives of the poor, to serve humankind, will never go unnoticed in the eyes of the lord almighty.

Finally, I would not be able to end this message without giving tribute to Ms. Deborah Landey, who, sadly is ending her stint as resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative. On behalf of the filipino people, I would like to thank you Madame Landey for your support to the philippine government’s efforts to uplift the lives of the filipino poor. As we say in these shores, mabuhay ka Debbie!

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!

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