PH-UNICEF PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN TARGETS 36 LGUs
MANILA— The Philippines and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the joint programme of cooperation on Investment Convergence for Equity for Children.
“This partnership exemplifies the high level of enthusiasm and initiative of municipal and city governments in pursuing projects that focus on the rights of children. We are one with you in this endeavor because children’s rights are ensured in the Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.
Balisacan said that 30 municipalities and six cities comprise the first batch of local government units (LGUs) that will be part of the joint programme of cooperation which will be implemented from 2012 to 2016.
The Cabinet official said that under the MOU, UNICEF and the national government will provide technical assistance to the 36 LGUs in terms of accelerating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in strengthening policies and implementing social services for children.
The 30 municipal LGUs are in the provinces of Camarines Norte (Basud, Capalonga, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, and Vinzons); Masbate (Milagros, Cawayan, Monreal, and Aroroy); Northern Samar (Mapanas and Bobon); Zamboanga del Norte (Leon B. Postigo, Tampilisan, Siayan and Sindangan); North Cotabato (Midsayap, President Roxas, Aleosan and Arakan); Saranggani (Malungon); Sultan Kudarat (Kalamansig and Lebak); Maguindanao (Parang, Upi, South Upi and Mamasapano); Sulu (Parang and Siasi); and Tawi-Tawi (Languyan).
Meanwhile, six cities are also included: Puerto Princesa City, Zamboanga City, Davao City, Cotabato City, Pasay City and Quezon City.
One of the LGUs’ commitments was to formulate a technical assistance plan to accelerate the attainment of MDGs for 2012 to 2013 within the framework of their comprehensive development and land use plans, including local poverty reduction plans.
The 36 LGUs are part of the 609 priority LGUs that already submitted local poverty reduction plans to national government agencies for possible funding.
The MDGs are a set of specific and time-bound development goals committed by international governments to be achieved by 2015. The MDGs aim to end poverty and hunger; attain universal education, gender equality, child and maternal health; combat AIDS and HIV; and ensure environmental sustainability and global partnership for development.
“The achievement of the MDG targets and practically all development goals largely depends on the delivery of devolved services. Through this joint programme, we can provide the enabling environment for LGUs to be aware of, committed to, and capacitated in addressing the most urgent concerns for children in their respective localities,” said Balisacan.
The LGUs will be assisted by the national government agencies, UNICEF and other civil society organizations, with their respective Regional Project Monitoring Committees (RPMC) chaired by the NEDA Regional Directors as the responsible units for monitoring and evaluating the joint programme.
“Many, if not all LGUs, are geographically isolated and disadvantaged, and their families and children must be reached in order to close the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” said Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director-General.
Signatories for the Philippines were NEDA, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the concerned LGUswhile UNICEF was led by its Representative to the Philippines Tomoo Hozumi.
MR No. 2012-051
10 July 2012
