The SDG’s: What are they and How Far Has The Philippines Come In Achieving Them?
Article written by Aneska Rebollido
Introduction
The Sustainable Development Goals, created by the United Nations, addresses global challenges and serves as a guide to achieve a better, sustainable future for all people (United Nations, n.d.). First world countries, such as Singapore, the United States, and several European countries, have made progress and achieved several of the 17 SDGs, whereas developing countries are still struggling to implement and localize these goals. This could be seen in the Philippines where the achievement of all 17 Goals is still far from reach, but near in sight. The progress and improvements the country has achieved, however, should not be discredited despite the slow progress.
Body
Last September 25–27, 2015, the Philippines agreed to adopt the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda in a summit held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City (United Nations, n.d.). Ever since this pledge 4 years ago, the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) are still considered as “new” in the country.
Up until this day, the Philippine government is still attempting to create awareness for and localize the SDGs through various programs that is influenced by a certain Goal, most especially SDG 1, which is No Poverty. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is former president Benigno Aquino III’s effort in eradicating extreme poverty. This program seeks to eradicate extreme poverty by providing cash grants to the poorest of the poor in order to improve health and nutrition and send their children aged 0–8 to school, given that they meet certain conditions (Official Gazette, n.d.). Another initiative undertaken by the Philippine government was to integrate the SDGs in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and Ambisyon Natin 2040, the country’s long-term vision document. In recent years, the Duterte Administration has adopted the 4Ps in an attempt to improve upon it and continue the fight against extreme poverty.
On the other hand, first world countries such as Singapore have done tremendous progress in achieving several SDGs. An intense commitment in reducing economic inequalities, government financial and support projects such as ComCare, Silver Support Scheme, MediFund, and more, and the nation’s high demand for highly skilled labors which resulted in the vast improvement and promotion of their education system are some examples of how this country has achieved No Poverty, Quality Education, and Decent Work and Economic Growth (Abeysinghe, 2015; Singapore Department of Statistics, 2018).
Looking at Singapore’s accomplishments, the Philippines could take an example and localize some of the techniques used by these countries. However, the country shou ld not limit their efforts on these SDGs alone. With the ever-increasing threat of global warming and climate change, the Philippines could do its part by also taking concrete actions to improve the following SDGs: Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Affordable and Clean Energy. As a third world country, the Philippines heavily contributes to global carbon emissions in its attempt at development and industrialization. As of 2012, greenhouse gas emissions from the Philippines alone was 157.6 million metric tons, which is 0.33% of global emissions (USAid, 2016). With each year, the country’s greenhouse gas emission increases as a result of more advancements in technology. However, with the aid of the SDGs previously mentioned, not only could the Philippines preserve the environment, but the achievement of these SDGs could help with the achievement of the other SDGs and increase the quality of living within the country.
Conclusion
Looking at the progress of other countries in terms of the SDGs the Philippines is trying to develop, the nation would have to do more in order to make significant progress. By achieving the No Poverty goal, Quality Education goal, and Decent Work and Economic Growth goal, a lot of the social issues plaguing Philippine society today will be resolved.
Improving the education system and making it accessible to everyone regardless of status and background will unlock the full potential of any Filipino. This will give everyone a chance to land a decent job that will allow them to provide for their own basic needs as well as the basic needs of others. Having a good job will also sustain people in the long run and enable them to rise out of poverty, which in turn will help the Philippine economy grow to the point where it could help the impoverished people in this country thrive and enable this cycle to continue indefinitely. The only way this could be achieved is by giving importance to achieving the SDGs. This proves that these sustainable goals are the true backbone of any country as it provides an avenue for the improvement of life and society.
Sources:
Abeysinghe, T. (2015). Lessons of Singapore’s Development for Other Developing Economies. Singapore’s Economic Development, World Scientific, pp. 35–49.
doi: 10.1142/9789814723473_0003
Bercuson, K. (1995). Singapore: A Case Study in Rapid Development, p. 5.
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Official Gazette. (n.d.) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Retrieved from http://www.gov.ph/programs/conditional-cashtransfer/
Singapore Department of Statistics. (2018). Household Income — Latest Data. Retrieved from
singastat.gov.sg
United Nations. (n.d.). Philippines Pledges to Make the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda a Reality and to Leave No One Behind. Retrieved from
USAid. (2016). Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factsheet: Philippines. Retrieved from
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