Baguio City – The Cordillera Regional Office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) participated in the Tenth Philippines I Transform! Young Leaders Convention on August 19, 2023 in Baguio City. Ms. Marissa Cabato, representing Regional Dir. Susan A. Sumbeling, provided the status on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Philippines.
Cabato reported that 16.7 percent of the SDG targets are on track, 42.9 percent requires accelerated efforts, while the remaining 40.5% regressed and needs exponential effort to reverse the downward trend and achieve the goals by 2030.
She highlighted the link of the SDGs to the Ambisyon Natin 2040, which is the collective vision of the Filipino people for the year 2040 for a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay (strong, comfortable, and secure life). She added that the Goals are also at the core of the Philippine Development Plan, the regional and sector plans.
In addition, she emphasized that the youth play a pivotal role in the achievement of the SDGs as they represent the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of society. Their active engagement and participation are essential for driving progress across all dimensions of sustainable development. These can be done in advocating for sustainable practices, promoting education, tackling social injustices, and embracing environmentally friendly lifestyles, among others.
The Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) through its Sub-committee on Sustainable Development Goals coordinates the implementation of the global goals at the region and serves as an avenue for stakeholders to provide policy recommendations to achieve these by 2030.
For the second consecutive year, NEDA-CAR engages with the Youthlead Philippines, a non-profit organization advocating for transformational leadership, in creating a platform to disseminate and gather initiatives aimed at advancing the SDGs. This event is a gathering of at least a thousand young leaders across the country. **By Gigi G. Estanoco
