MANILA, Philippines – With the economy growing more than seven percent last year, the government is confident that it will be able to reduce poverty incidence in the country from 28.4 percent in 2000 to 17.9 percent in 2010, an official of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
Director Cleofe Pastrana of NEDA’s Social Development Office, said there is “high” probability of attaining the target of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger under the “Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (2004-2010).”
In a presentation during the recent National People’s Assembly of international relief agency World Vision in Tagaytay City, Pastrana said the government continues to intensify support from foreign funding agencies in meeting the Medium Term Development Goals (MDGs).
She said the government has also forged stronger partnership with the business sector and civil society organizations to support its programs.
President Arroyo earlier said “the basic task of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for the period 2004-2010 is to fight poverty and build prosperity for the greatest number of the Filipino people.”
“We must open up economic opportunities, maintain socio-political stability, and promote good stewardship – all to ensure a better quality of life for all our citizens. We will focus on strategic measures and activities that will spur economic growth and create jobs. This can only be done with a common purpose to put our economic house back in working order,” Mrs. Arroyo said.
For her part, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral said the President is “so eager to scale up social services.”
“It is possible, if everybody will learn to help each other,” Cabral said, “because the government cannot do it alone, we all have to take some responsibilities for our country to grow.”
Founded in 1950 by American evangelist and reporter Dr. Robert “Bob” Pierce, World Vision aims to “work for the well-being of all people, especially children.”
In the Philippines, the foundation has helped around one million children, World Vision executive director Elnora Avarientos said.
Meanwhile, the European Commission (EC) has started accepting proposals from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local government units (LGUs) for poverty-reduction and development projects to be implemented in the Philippines.
The EC said the first step in presenting proposals for funding is to provide an initial concept note to be submitted to the EC Delegation not later than April 15.
The EC’s invitation for submission of proposals aims to support activities that will lead to sustainable improved economic development at the local level.
The program will support actions intended to strengthen the capability of Philippine NGOs and local government units to deliver innovative, community-based and sustainable livelihood projects, as well as to promote informed choices and equitable access to family planning in under-served areas and for vulnerable populations.
A variety of strategies can be proposed to accomplish the priorities identified by the EC. Proposals should ensure broad-based participation, with explicit mainstreaming of the European Union crosscutting policies, including the promotion of gender equality, human rights, integration of environmental questions, and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Projects to be proposed for funding under this program should be carried out between 36 and 60 months.
Grants can range from a minimum of $700,000 (about P42 million) to a maximum of $1 million (about P60 million) for NGOs, and from a minimum of $200,000 (about P12 million) to a maximum of $400,000 (about P24 million maximum) for LGUs.
The total amount of funding available for such grants this year amounts to some $2.5 million (about P150 million). – With Pia Lee-Brago