RP to hit UN-set development targets - NEDA source

MANILA, Philippines - Targets set by the United Nations (UN) as millennium development goals (MDGs) for 2015 are within reach for the Philippines, a director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on Monday told a hearing in the House of Representatives. "Based on our figures and latest reports from the agencies concerned, we are confident that the government can achieve the MDGs set by UN. In fact, some of the targets can be achieved even before 2015, although for some, many challenges still have to be met," NEDA Director Erlinda Capones said during a briefing for the House Special Committee on Millennium Development Goals. The 8 MDGs set for 2015 were: to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; to achieve universal primary education; to promote gender equality and empowerment of women; to reduce child mortality; to improve maternal health; to combat Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other diseases; to ensure environmental sustainability; and to develop global partnerships for development in aid, trade and debt relief. In her report to the committee, Ms. Capones said the Philippines will likely achieve the targets on reducing poverty, child mortality, the incidence of tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS, as well as improving dietary requirements and access to safe drinking water and sanitary toilet facilities. But she admitted that that the country still faces challenges in improving maternal health and access to reproductive health services, as well as providing universal primary education and gender equality in education. On a similar note, Nileema Noble, resident representative to the Philippines of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme, said "Despite the declining rate of poverty worldwide, still 30% of the world’s children are considered malnourished. In fact, the Philippines ranked seventh among the countries with the highest record of undernourished children." On the other hand, Ms. Noble cited some gains in reducing child mortality in the country. "About ten million children die worldwide before reaching their fifth birthdays," she said. "But in the Philippines child mortality improved by about 20% over the past years." Ms. Capones on the other hand cited the decline in the reported incidence of HIV/AIDS in the country by about 10%. Tuberculosis is also still one of the main death-causing diseases in the Philippines, Ms. Capones pointed out in her report. Also present during the meeting, Dr. Honorata Catibog from the Department of Health confirmed that tuberculosis remains the sixth leading cause of mortality in the country. - BusinessWorld