Millenium Development Goals

About the Project
The project aims to capacitate Local Government Units (LGUs) to effectively and efficiently implement MDG-responsive programs and projects toward reducing poverty in their localities. This shall be accomplished thru the development and institutionalization of detailed operational mechanisms, tools and policies on MDG localization and monitoring LGU performance on MDG using the core local poverty indicator monitoring system (CLPIMS)

Goals and Objectives

The project’s major goal is for LGUs to contribute to the attainment of MDG target by 2015. Specifically,

The project aims to achieve the following objectives:

•  Develop detailed operational mechanisms, tools and policies that will guide the localization or mainstreaming of MDGs at the local level;
• Advocate for the integration of MDG-responsive sectors in local plans;
• Provide a menu of services and activities addressing MDG target for LGUs to implement; and
• Establish an LGU Performance Monitoring System on MDGs.

 Expected Output

• Strengthened LGUs capacities in effectively and efficiently implementing MDG-responsive PPAs;
•  Increased LGU budgetary allocation for basic social services.

The accomplishment of the expected outputs shall be facilitated by the following project deliverables:

• LGU Guide for MDG Localization
• MDG Localization Communication Strategy
• Simplified Planning Guide for MDG Integration in the Local Planning and Budgeting System
• Case Write-Ups on MDG-related Good Practices
• Trained/Oriented LGUs on MDG Institutionalization
• Technical Assistance for the Institutionalization of Mechanisms for MDG Mainstreaming
• Performance Monitoring System on the Attainment of the MDG Targets in LGUs 

The MDG Localization

Background

As signatory to the Millennium Declaration in 2000, the Philippines together with the 189 UN member states committed to address the global targets set against the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Millennium Development Goals are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty and worst form of human deprivation in its many dimensions-income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while promoting gender equality, education, and environment sustainability. The eight MDGs are:

Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Goal 2. Achieve universal primary education

Goal 3. Promote gender equality and empower women

Goal 4. Reduce child mortality

Goal 5. Improve maternal health

Goal 6.Combat HIVs/AIDs, malaria and other infectious deceases

Goal 7. Ensure environmental sustainability

Goal 8. Develop a global partnership for development 

Meeting the requirements of the MDGs will entail collaborative efforts of major stakeholders - the national and local government units (LGUs) as well as the private sector through related interventions geared toward mainstreaming the MDGs in the local development agenda. 

LGU Roles on MDG Localization

As frontline institutions, the LGUs have significant roles to play to realize the MDGs. For most part, the achievement of the MDG targets largely depends on the delivery of devolved services.

As provided under the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 7160, local government units (LGUs) assume the primary responsibility for the provision of basic services and facilities and the improvement of the quality of life of their constituents. Section 16 and 17 particularly, enumerates LGU basic services such as:

1. promotion of health and safety,

2. enhancement of people's right to a balanced ecology,

3. promotion of ecological balance and economic prosperity and social justice,

4. maintenance of peace and order, and comfort and convenience of their inhabitants among others

Likewise, the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act of 1997 gives the LGUs the frontline role in the fight against poverty. The law tasks the LGUs to be responsible in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Anti-Poverty Reduction Agenda within their area of jurisdiction.

The Department of Interior and Local Government, through its Bureau of Local Government Development, has taken on the responsibility of localizing the MDGs localization by virtue of Social Development Council (SDC) Resolution No.1 Series of 2003 mandating the DILG to take the lead in MDG localization

The MDG Localization Framework

The national government provides the enabling environment for the LGUs to be aware, committed and capacitated to address the MDG targets in the locality. The DILG developed the MDG Localization framework to guide all localization efforts and initiatives. The MDG localization framework identified a set of desired outcomes for an MDG responsive LGU which includes the following:

1.  a local development plan incorporating the MDG targets and corresponding increase budget allocation for MDG-responsive PPAs,
2. local policies that facilitate the achievement of the MDGs
3. local monitoring system to benchmark LGU contribution in the attainment of MDG targets and to track down accomplishments vis-à-vis targets;
4. improved delivery of basic services through replication of good practices,
5. inclusion of accomplishment of MDG targets as one of the performance commitments of the LGUs.