the millennium development goals report 2005pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/neda_bicol_mdgs_report.pdf ·...

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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD ................................................................................................... i

PREFACE ........................................................................................................ ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................................... iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................ 1

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 6 THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS.............................................. 8 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT....................................................... 13 REGIONAL MDG PROGRESS BY GOAL ....................................................... 15 ADVOCATING AND LOCALIZING THE MDGs ............................................ 54 FINANCING THE MDGs ............................................................................. 55 MONITORING THE MDGs ............................................................................ 56 ACRONYMS .................................................................................................... 64 REFERENCES ................................................................................................ 66 Annex A: NAGA CITY INITIATIVES: GOOD PRACTICE ............................. 67 Annex B: PROGRESS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY ............................ 69

FOREWORD

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are time-bound and quantified poverty reduction targets. They are also the basic right of each person to health, education, shelter and security. We, in the region value the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an opportunity to define our roadmap towards reducing poverty in all its forms. This report summarizes the progress of our region in achieving the MDGs and the probability of meeting the targets by 2015. This report draws from the submission of various implementing agencies on their accomplishment as well as consultations with stakeholders. The NEDA in collaboration with the MDG Regional Task Force evaluated the progress of achievement of the goals and identified priorities for action on how to better support the goals. We are beginning to reap some gains as shown by our indicators although there are still challenges to overcome. There are goals with high chances of attainment by 2015 while other had lower chances. Our action on these will largely depend on the support, cooperation and political will of our stakeholders in the region. We still have eight years to achieve the MDGs and our efforts in the region towards this end will result to something very positive. To ensure success we shall continue to institute reforms, increase investments for MDG programs, and build capacity of local government units and other stakeholders to localize MDG progress assessment and improve linkage and coordination between agencies and local government units. With this report, we hope to bring one message across....the need to work together to achieve the goals which will serve as legacy to our people. We look forward to the untiring support and cooperation of our implementing agencies. the private sector and the local government units to further carry out actions for development, and make the Millennium Development Goals achievable.

HON. LINDA P. GONZALEZ SDC Chairperson

PREFACE The road towards this progress report on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Bicol Region has been long and arduous but it has finally reached its conclusion. Aimed at complementing the two national reports made at the national level, it sought to address the twin objectives of (1) addressing information gap at the local level and in so doing (2) identify issues and concerns about the benchmarks used in assessing progress to strengthen the MDG monitoring system both at the local and regional levels. The usual problems mostly associated with the quality, availability and consistency of data – as these move up from local communities and reported/processed at higher levels – have expectedly surfaced. Differences in methodology, approaches and appreciation of the wealth of information considered in this report cropped up. But in the end, the end-users – especially at the grassroots will have to see for themselves whether these match up with realities on the ground. This particular dimension is important in view of the continuing differences in opinion expressed by civil society towards measuring development in the country using the MDGs as framework. While on the one hand, official data have showed modest and even positive gains in some fronts, various non-government groups and university-based think-tanks believe these are not so. But while important, this contentious debate must not drown out the need for stakeholders to continuously come together and find ways of regularly measuring progress between now and 2015. This healthy debate in our democratic society will help us find out whether we are moving towards the MDGs at the sub-national levels – regional, provincial, city/municipal and ideally, even the barangays which is where genuine development really matters. It is our hope that this document, will jumpstart development efforts and cooperation which will only be useful if translated into local action that will move MDG-oriented initiatives forward.

Director III and Officer-In-Charge

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This Progress Report is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Millennium Development Goal Regional Task Force and the Social Development Committee (SDC) under the leadership of Mayor Linda Gonzalez, SDC Chairperson, the NEDA V Regional Director, Atty. Romeo C. Escandor and Assistant Director Gerelyn J. Balneg. Recognition is given to the Social Development Staff (SDS) and the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) for providing the comments and recommendations in the preparation of the draft report. Recognition is likewise given to the heads and staffs of the following regional line agencies: CHED, CHR, DA, DepEd, DENR, DILG, DOH, DSWD, HUDCC, NNC, NSCB, NSO, TESDA and the local government units for participating in various meetings and workshops and their valuable technical inputs to the various chapters of the report. The NEDA Regional Office V also extends its sincerest appreciation to the consultant, Mr. Wilfredo Prilles of the Naga City Government for his efforts in analyzing and consolidating the outputs of various agencies.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY To complement two Philippine progress reports on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the study was conducted to track down mid-term performance levels of six provinces and three cities of Bicol region with regard to the MDGs. Objectives

(a) To identify and discuss issues and concerns regarding the MDG benchmarks at the local and regional levels with the end view of strengthening regional monitoring for these development goals.

(b) To address the information gap at the local level with the end view of

developing a tool for awareness raising, alliance building and renewal of commitments to realize the MDGs by 2015.

Methodology The study used regionally collected time-series data on the indicators for the eight MDG benchmarks which came from regional units of the national government agencies and local government units. Analysis focused on the progress of local poverty reduction efforts in Bicol indicated by the probability of attaining the MDG targets by 2015. The national criteria were used to compute for the probability of attaining the MDG targets of the region as well as the respective targets of the provinces and cities. The criteria provided for the classification of the probability of meeting the goals into three categories: high probability, medium probability and low probability. The study also included discussion of the priority programs and policies implemented during the assessment period. The analysis identified the challenges and priorities for action, that is, discussing the problems encountered, areas for improvement and strategies to speed up the progress of attaining the MDGs. Findings Bicol’s progress relative to the MDGs is mixed (Table I). There are goals with high chances of attainment by 2015 (e.g. goals 3, 4 and 7) while others had lower chances (goals 2 and 5). The absence of data for Goal 8 (“Develop a Global Partnership for Development”) precluded progress assessment at the regional and local levels. Its performance by goal is summarized as follows:

Goal 1. High probability of reducing poverty by half in 2015, in terms of proportion of population below subsistence (food) threshold; Medium probability of reducing poverty by half in 2015, in terms of proportion of population below poverty (income) threshold.

Goal 2. Low probability in achieving 100 percent participation rate by 2015 in elementary education. For cohort survival, the probability in attaining 100 percent rate by 2015 is medium.

Goal 3. High probability in attaining gender parity towards girls.

Goal 4. High probability of reducing child and infant mortality by two-thirds but declining immunization coverage might put it at risk.

Goal 5. Low probability in reducing maternal mortality by three-fourths.

Goal 6. Low probability in halting and reversing the prevalence and deaths due to TB but high probability in halting prevalence of malaria.

Goal 7. High probability in halving the proportion of people with no access to safe water and sanitation services.

Conclusion The region has shown moderate success in the attainment of goals such as reducing extreme poverty by half, reducing malnutrition among pre-school children, attaining gender parity, reducing child mortality by two-thirds and halving the proportion of people with no access to safe drinking water and sanitary toilets but these has to be sustained in all areas regionwide. On the other hand, regional and local efforts should now be focused on areas which require additional effort and where the chances of meeting goals such as increasing participation rate, reducing maternal mortality and halting deaths due to tuberculosis are very challenging. In the process of preparing the report, a number of data issues surfaced. These include gaps typified by the absence of indicators for Goal 8, and missing data for certain years in some indicators and some inconsistencies between regional and local data, for instance, due to different data sets Another is the issue of quality, where questions on validity, e.g. participation rate in cities that include enrolment of non-residents and non-inclusion of data on private school enrolment can mask problematic situations. Finally, there is also the need to ensure that the MDG data will be anchored on the end-user’s ability to link it to policy in order to take positive actions toward the attainment of the goals. At the same time, it was noted that good local practices abound in the region aside from the well-publicized initiatives in Naga City. This include less-known barangay initiatives in Bicol that also produced positive results as reported

by the DILG as well as effective institutional performance at the provincial level by Albay, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes with regard to the MDGs which deserve further study. Moreover, the need for a more relevant local MDG tracking system was underscored guided by continuous improvement in each of the Millennium Goal. This tracking system is founded on a deeper local understanding of the various dimensions of poverty and more importantly how local plans, programs and activities can address these poverty dimensions to bring about sustained, incremental improvements. This local tracking system emphasizes three basic features: (a) outcomes over outputs, where data collection and analysis are focused on locally available MDG indicators as specified by the national government through the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB); (b) assessment over monitoring, where analysis does not end on the data per se but their implication on the bigger picture; and (c) MDG-driven local action, which links MDG data to action, in the process giving meaning to the whole exercise. Moreover, a local MDG tracking system must also be consistent and logical, hence necessitating a review of the criteria used in the Second Philippine Progress Report, especially the high and medium performance ratings which were also applied in the study. Finally, it must be complemented by social accountability mechanisms that would communicate its results to stakeholders in a regular manner. For instance, it can be integrated into the mayor or governor’s annual report to his constituents, either in a meeting of the sanggunian or the local development council. Recommendations To address the information gap with regard to the MDGs and intensify their localization, the following measures are recommended: 1. More localized MDG tracking down to the city/municipal level. MDG

progress assessment should be pursued and institutionalized at (a) the regional level, for provinces and cities; (b) provincial level, for municipalities; and (c) at the city/municipal level, for the barangays so that local policy and decision makers are aware of their roles and responsibilities to address the MDGs.

2. More effective alignment between national and local agencies. To improve

outcomes, national line agencies (through their regional and sub-regional

field units), the local government units and their civil society partners should align their activities, thereby achieving synergy and greater efficiency. This would also include the mobilization and matching of resources to where critical interventions are most needed.

3. Documentation of good practices. Aided by academic institutions in the

region, these should focus on local initiatives that address any or a combination of the eight MDGs and, more importantly, yield concrete outcomes. These good practices can be featured in websites, for possible replication by the local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGAs).

4. Dissemination of local MDG tracking results. Aside from participative events

where local MDG results can be communicated regularly – like the annual mayor or governor’s report – reader-friendly brochures, flyers and other MDG IECs should be produced and disseminated among key stakeholders and constituents. Digital copies should be made available through regionally-maintained web pages featuring provincial, city and municipal reports.

Table 1. MDGs: Rate of Progress, Region 5

MDG

Baseline (1990 or year

closest to 1990)

Current Target by 2015

Average Rate of

Progress

Required Rate of

Progress

Ratio of Required Rate to

Average Rate

Probability of Attaining the

Target

Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger Proportion of population below poverty threshold 53.80 48.50 30.70 -0.88 -1.48 1.68 medium 1997 2003 2015 Proportion of population below subsistence threshold 32.70 26.60 16.35 -1.02 -0.85 0.84 high 1997 2003 2015 Prevalence of Malnutrition among 0-5 year old children (% underweight) based on PRS 68.30 37.30 34.15 -2.58 -0.24 0.09 high 1990 2002 2015 based on IRS 33.60 22.60 16.80 -11.00 -0.53 0.05 high 2003 2004 2015 Achieve Universal Primary Education Elementary Participation Rate 85.81 85.07 100.00 -0.05 1.36 25.68 low 1990 2004 2015 Elementary Cohort Survival Rate 66.68 79.45 100.00 1.06 1.87 1.76 medium 1992 2004 2015 Promote Gender Equality Gender Parity Index in Primary Education based on participation rate 1.02 0.98 1.00 0.00 0.00 0.70 high 1991 2005 2015

MDG

Baseline (1990 or year

closest to 1990)

Current Target by 2015

Average Rate of

Progress

Required Rate of

Progress

Ratio of Required Rate to

Average Rate


Target

Reduce Child Mortality Under 5- mortality rate 47.68 23.10 15.89 -2.05 -0.55 0.27 high 1990 2002 2015 Infant mortality rate 25.19 13.06 8.40 -1.01 -0.36 0.35 high 1990 2002 2015 Fully-immunized children 93.00 87.00 95.00 -0.46 0.73 1.58 medium 1991 2004 2015 Improve Maternal Health Maternal mortality rate 1.26 1.59 0.32 0.03 -0.11 4.17 low 1990 2003 2015 Contraceptive prevalence rate 36.00 42.90 72.00 0.69 2.43 3.51 low 1993 2003 2015 Condom use rate 3.03 2.25 6.06 -0.06 0.35 5.77 low 1991 2004 2015 Ensure Environmental Sustainability Proportion of families with no access to safe drinking water 29.16 17.30 14.58 -0.91 -0.25 0.27 high 1991 2004 2015 Proportion of families with no access to sanitary toilets 41.67 32.15 20.84 -0.73 -1.03 1.40 high 1991 2004 2015 Combat HIV/ AIDS, malaria and other diseases Deaths due to TB per 100,000 40.26 30.59 0.00 -0.74 -2.78 3.74 low 1991 2004 2015 Malaria positive cases 116.00 25.00 0.00 -30.33 -2.27 0.07 high 2001 2004 2015

INTRODUCTION In year 2000, member countries of the United Nations attended the Millennium Summit that marked the dawning of a new millennium. It tackled the challenges facing human society as it enters a new era. Its major highlight is the Millennium Declaration adopted by member states which defined eight development goals as benchmarks for progress towards a global vision of development, peace and human rights. At the operational level, this grand vision translates into a more concrete objective: halve the number of the poor worldwide by 2015. These eight benchmarks, more popularly known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide countries with targets to guide the prioritization and allocation of their scarce resources towards the poor. By regularly monitoring its status across nations and at various sub-national levels down the line, policy makers and implementers were expected to become conscious of their roles and responsibilities to ensure achievement of the MDGs. As a signatory to the Millennium Declaration, the Philippine Government has published two national progress reports on the MDGs. The first Philippine Progress Report, which came out in January 2003 which analyzed the country’s performance from 1990 (the MDG baseline year) to 2000. The second report in June 2005 presented the country’s situation beyond national averages through sex-disaggregated and geographical location; it also highlighted efforts of the civil society and business sector on MDG localization and advocacy initiatives. Localizing the MDGs became a common theme that cut across international and national efforts to bring the global campaign forward, with UN agencies providing the needed technical and financial support. For instance, the last two editions of the World Urban Forum organized by UN-HABITAT have highlighted international good practices on MDG localization. The various leagues of local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines, particularly the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), have also embraced the advocacy in a big way. The LCP effort is anchored on the identification of demonstration cities, the development of tool kits based on their experiences, and cascading these know-how to its general membership. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) cited 10 localities in the Philippines which have exemplified as good practices in the MDG localization effort. What this report is about This regional progress report for the Bicol region presents MDG-related data by geographic location, evaluates the progress of achievement of the goals and identifies policies and programs within which the goals are articulated.

It seeks to track down performance levels of key local government units on the MDGs and identify new challenges and address the information gaps. By doing so, it seeks to open a new front in the effort to take the MDGs to the local level and develop a tool for awareness raising, alliance building and renewal of commitments to realize them by 2015. In the process, it will also identify and discuss issues and concerns regarding the MDG benchmarks at the local and regional levels. By looking at the way data is collected and organized from the ground up, it seeks to identify areas which a regional monitoring system for these development goals can be strengthened and presented in an objective regional progress report to validate and inform the regional MDG aggregates. This report assumes that the MDG framework is a useful tool to promote development at the global, national and local levels. For whom it is written This report is recommended for the following: o Elected local officials. Local chief executives and their colleagues in the

various sanggunians are in a position to accelerate and institutionalize the localization of MDGs.

o Local planningand development coordinators. By virtue of their mandate,

local development planning coordinators oversee the preparation of local plans, which are built on sectoral studies covering their community. The use of MDG concepts in the planning process and integration as planning targets play a key role in their localization.

o Local academic institutions. As knowledge centers mandated to “speak truth

to power,” local academic institutions are in a unique position to inform especially in developing local capability in the use of MDG concepts and indicators.

o Regional offices of national government agencies. As representatives of

national government agencies, they are the local interface between the central government and local authorities and communities. Government agencies are particularly mandated to implement and oversee that delivery of services and resources are aligned with the targets of the MDGs. Documentation of good and replicable practices are therefore expected to be incorporated in periodic progress report prepared by government on MDG achievements.

THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS “The End of Poverty” A Time magazine article containing excerpts from the book “The End of Poverty” written by the economist Jeffrey D. Sachs, head of Columbia University’s Earth Institute and special adviser to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan underscores the need to end poverty and how. The following quote sums up the undertaking embarked upon by the United Nations when it gathered for the Millennium Summit in September 2000:

[O]ur generation, in the U.S. and abroad, can choose to end extreme poverty by the year 2025.... The sources of poverty are multidimensional. So are the solutions. In my view, clean water, productive soils and a functioning health-care system are just as relevant to development as foreign exchange rates. The task of ending extreme poverty is a collective one – for you as well as for me. The end of poverty will require a global network of cooperation among people who have never met and who do not necessarily trust one another.

In that Time article, Sachs outlined nine steps that will help achieve the goal of ending extreme poverty*, which affects 1.1 billion of the total world population. Next is to follow through on the UN Millennium Development Goals, which had been approved by all of the world’s governments at the start of the millennium. The MDGs Described Broadly, what are MDGs? How and when did they start? National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) explains:

MDG stands for Millennium Development Goals – a set of time-bound and measurable goals and targets for combating poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against

*There are three degrees of poverty: extreme (or absolute) poverty, moderate poverty and relative poverty. Extreme poverty, defined by the World Bank as getting by on an income of less than $1 a day, means that households cannot meet basic needs for survival. Moderate poverty, defined as living on $1 to $2 a day, refers to conditions in which basic needs are met, but just barely. Being in relative poverty, defined by a household income level below a given proportion of the national average, means lacking things that the middle class now takes for granted.

women. It consists of 8 goals, 18 targets and 48 indicators, covering the period 1990 to 2015 In September 2000, member states of the United Nations (UN) gathered at the Millennium Summit to affirm commitments towards reducing poverty and the worst forms of human deprivation. The Summit adopted the UN Millennium Declaration which embodies specific targets and milestones in eliminating extreme poverty worldwide. A total of 189 countries, including the Philippines committed themselves to making the right to development a reality for everyone.

The recently issued report of the Millennium Project entitled “Investing in Development” disclosed:

“The [MDGs] are the most broadly supported, comprehensive, and specific poverty reduction targets the world has ever established, so their importance is manifold. For the international political system, they are the fulcrums on which development policy is based. For the billion-plus people living in extreme poverty, they represent the means to a productive life. For everyone on Earth, they are a linchpin to the quest for a more secure and peaceful world.”

MDG in the Philippines The Philippines ranked first among the 11 Southeast Asian nations, and fourth in the Asia-Pacific region, in terms of data availability to support MDG tracking. The same assessment showed that out of the 48 indicators, 29 could be obtained from the various government surveys and administrative records; 8 indicators are not available; and 11 are found not applicable in the Philippines. For some of the eight indicators that are not available, country estimates from international organizations were used instead. Table 1 presents the list of available indicators for the MDGs in the Philippines, as summarized by the NSCB.

TABLE 1

Available Indicators for the MDGs in the Philippines

Goal 1 ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

1 Proportion of population below $1 (PPP) per day

2. Poverty gap ratio (incidence x depth of poverty)

Target 1

Halve, between 1990s and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day.

3 Share of poorest quintile in national consumption

4 Prevalence of underweight children under 5 years of age

Target 2 Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger 5 Proportion of population below minimum

level of dietary energy consumption

Goal 2 ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

6 Net enrolment ratio in primary education

7 Proportion of pupils starting grade 1 who reach grade 6

Target 3

Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

8 Literacy rate of 15-24 year-olds

Goal 3 PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

9 Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education

10 Ratio of literate females to males of 15-24 year-olds

11 Share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector

Target 4

Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005 and to all levels of education no later than 2015

12 Proportion of seats held by women in national parliament

Goal 4 REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

13 Under-five mortality rate

14 Infant mortality rate

Target 5

Reduce by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate

15. Proportion of 1 year-old children immunized against measles

Goal 5 IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

16 Maternal mortality ratio Target 6

Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

17 Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel

Goal 6 COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

18 HIV prevalence among 15-24 year old pregnant women

19 Condom use rate of the contraceptive prevalence rate

Target 7 Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS

20 Number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS (to be measured by the ratio or proportion of orphans to non-orphans aged 10-14 who are attending school)

21 Prevalence and death rates associated with malaria

22 Proportion of population in malaria risk areas using effective malaria prevention and treatment measures

23 Prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis

Target 8 Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases

24 Proportion of tuberculosis cases detected and cured under directly observed treatment short course (DOTS)

Goal 7 ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

25 Proportion of land area covered by forest

26 Ratio of area protected to maintain biological diversity to surface area

27 Energy use (kg oil equivalent) per $1 GDP (PPP)

28 Carbon dioxide emissions (per capita) and consumption of ozone-depleting CFCs (ODP tons)

Target 9 Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes to reverse the loss of environmental resources

29 Proportion of population using solid fuels

Target 10 Halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water

30 Proportion of population with sustainable access to improved water source, urban and rural

31 Proportion of urban population with access to improved sanitation

Target 11

By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers 32 Proportion of households with access to

secure tenure (owned or rented)

Goal 8 DEVELOP A GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT GOAL AND TARGET INDICATOR

Target 15 Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term

44 Debt service as a percentage of exports of goods and services

Target 16 In cooperation with developing countries, develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth

45 Unemployment rate of 15-24 year olds, each sex and total

Target 17 In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable, essential drugs in developing countries

46 Proportion of population with access to affordable essential drugs on a sustainable basis

47 Telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population

Target 18

In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications

48 Personal computers in use per 100 population and internet users per 100 population

Source: National Statistical Coordination Board

The Regional Development Context The Millennium Declaration, borne out of the Millennium Summit held in September 2000 has articulated eight development goals as benchmarks for progress towards a vision of development, peace and human rights. The Millennium Development Goals provide countries with targets to guide the prioritization and allocation of scarce and limited resources toward uplifting the lives of the poor. By monitoring the status towards the achievement of these goals, policy and decision makers become conscious of their roles and responsibilities to ensure achievement of these goals. The Philippine Government has published two national reports on the MDGs. The first Philippine Progress Report analyzes the country's performance from 1990 to 2000. The second report presents the country's situation beyond national averages through data- disaggregated by sex and geographical location and highlights the efforts of the civil society and business sector as well in the MDG localization and advocacy initiatives. Complementary to the national report is a regional progress report that would track down performance levels of the local government units on the MDGs. Localization of the MDGs is therefore a must for the LGUs. Because of this, an inter-agency task force consisting of DILG, POPCOM, NSCB and NEDA spearheaded the conduct of multi-sectoral fora on the localization of the MDGs. On August 25, 2004, the Regional Development Council (RDC) V approved and endorsed the localization and mainstreaming of the MDGs in development planning processes at the regional and local levels per RDC Resolution 05-21, Series of 2004. All the Millennium Development Goals are mutually reinforcing and contribute to poverty reduction. Achievement of such goals is primarily dependent on factors such as good governance and rule of law and the protection of human rights including women's rights, peace and security, to name a few. Such goals are consistent with the primary objectives of the region in the Medium Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP) to fight poverty through the promotion of economic growth and provision of basic social services. These strategies will significantly help attain the MDGs in the region. Regional Economic Situation As of 2000, the population of the Bicol Region was 4.67 million spread over a land area of 18,130.4 square kilometers. Growing annually at 1.92 percent, the population is expected to reach 5.71 million in 2010 and will double in 41 years.

The total value of goods and services produced by the regional economy in 2004, as measured by the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) was close to P40 billion . This led to an accelerated growth of 6.2 percent from 5.2 percent in 2003, the highest since 1988. However, Bicol's per capita Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of P6,575 in 2004, although P288 higher than in the previous year was barely half of the Philippine average of P13,726 and continued to make the region with the second least per capita.

Among the production sectors, the industry sector grew the most at 11.7 percent accounting for 2.5 percentage points of the 6.2 GRDP growth rate. Relatively high growth sub-sectors were electricity, gas and water, finance and transportation, communication and storage. Sub-sectors identified as precursors of growth but slowed down were agriculture, mining and quarrying, dwellings and real estate.

Employment rate slightly declined by 0.5 percentage point from 92 to 91.5

in 2004, however there was a 3.7 percent growth in the number of persons employed. The regional employment has been biased toward agriculture Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (AFF) sector absorbed 47 percent of the total employed persons. A negative growth of 4.6 percent was experienced in industry due to reduction in employment in manufacturing and construction.

The labor productivity level for 2004 improved by 2.26 percentage points

from P16,703 to P17,082. The industry sector had the highest productivity level of about P33,000 while agriculture had the lowest at P17,000.

Based on the revised estimates for CY 2000 and the preliminary estimates

for CY 2003, 48.4 percent of the total population or 40.5 percent of the total families were living below the poverty line. Bicol ranks second among the regions in terms of magnitude of poor population and families and fourth in terms of incidence of poor population and families. Eighty percent of the poor families and population are concentrated in the rural areas. The possible key factors contributing to poverty are: i) rapid population growth, ii) lack of non-farm employment opportunities, iii) seasonality of farm work and fish catch, iv0 inadequate capital credit, v) poorly organized market, production and distribution processes and structure, vi) lack of knowledge, information, information channel along with lack of entrepreneurial, managerial, technical expertise. These factors although indirectly causes poverty when taken together.

REGIONAL PROGRESS BY GOALS The discussion of the region’s progress per MDG goal is presented into three parts, as follows: Status and Trends, Priority Programs and Policies, and Challenges and Priorities for Action. Status and trends include an assessment of attaining the goals based on the time-series data sourced out from NSCB and regional line agencies for specific areas of concerns. The assessment involved the computation of the probability of attaining these targets using the national criteria as follows: The formula to assess the probability of attaining the MDG targets provides the following:

“The criterion used in determining whether the target will be met is the ratio between the annual rate of change needed to reach the target and the current annual rate of progress.“ Ratio* = required rate of progress divided by

the actual rate of progress.

*Ratio is in absolute value The rate of progress correspond to ranges of the ratio given below:

If Ratio is < 1.5, then the probability of attaining the target is - High.

If the Ratio is between 1.5 to 2.0, then the probability of attaining the target is - Medium.

If the Ratio is > 2.0, then the probability of attaining the target is - Low.

Thus, using the above criteria, the region as a whole and its provinces/cities will be classified whether they have High, Medium or Low probability of attaining the MDGs by 2015 based on their current performance. Priority Programs and Policies portion discusses the major programs/policies implemented during the assessment period. For the last part, the Challenges and Priorities for Action details the problems encountered, areas for improvement and strategies to speed up the progress of attaining the MDGs.

Goal 1 ERADICATE EXTREME POVERTY AND HUNGER

Target 1: Halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015 Status and Trends In 2003, 26.6 percent of the population in the region was living below the subsistence food threshold or food poor. This is a decline from 32.7 percent in 1997. This means that in 2003, about 1.278 million Bicolanos did not earn enough income to provide for their basic food requirements, representing a drop from 1997 level of 1.676 million Bicolanos. Subsistence threshold or the minimum income needed by a person to satisfy nutritional requirements was estimated to be P 8,379 in 2003. This is higher than the per capita threshold of P8,275.57 in 1997. The food poor was high in the provinces of Masbate and Camarines Norte respectfully.

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger Target: Half the proportion of people living in extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015

Indicator: Proportion of population below subsistence threshold

Province Baseline (1997)

Current (2003)

Target (2015)

Ratio of Required Rate to Average Rate of Progress


Target

Albay 31.5 22.1 15.75 0.34 high Camarines Norte 33 35.4 16.5 3.94 low Camarines Sur 26.8 23.9 13.4 1.81 medium Catanduanes 29.5 17.4 14.75 0.11 high Masbate 48.9 43.1 24.45 1.61 medium Sorsogon 31.1 18.6 15.55 0.12 high Region 5 32.7 26.6 16.35 0.84 high

On the other hand, the income poor in the region comprised 48.5 percent of the population in 2003. The poverty data indicate that in 2003, about 2.332 million Bicolanos did not earn enough income to satisfy their food and non-food requirements, showing a decline from the 1997 level of 2.757 million Bicolanos. Per capita poverty threshold was P12,379 in 2003, higher than the poverty threshold of P9,850.43 in 1997.

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger Target: Half the proportion of people living in extreme poverty between 1990 and 2015

Indicator: Proportion of population below poverty threshold

Province Baseline (1997) Current (2003) Target

(2015)



Target

Albay 50 42.7 25 1.21 high Camarines Norte 57.6 55.5 28.8 6.36 low Camarines Sur 51.1 47.1 25.55 2.69 low Catanduanes 48 36.8 24 0.57 high Masbate 68 63.4 34 3.20 low Sorsogon 48.7 43.5 24.35 1.84 medium Region 5 53.8 48.5 30.7 1.68 medium

The regional target of achieving an improved status in terms of subsistence incidence is pegged at 30.7 percent for the income poor and 16.35 percent for the food poor. The region has a high probability of achieving target for subsistence incidence by 2015 while medium probability for poverty incidence. For the provinces, only Albay and Catanduanes have high probability of attaining the 2015 targets in both subsistence incidence and poverty incidence. Priority Policies and Programs Major policy reforms as well as key programs geared towards advancing the interests of the poor were implemented in the region. Programs and projects include employment and livelihood, distribution of land and provision of security and protection of the vulnerable groups and empowerment of communities and individuals through a meaningful participation of the basic sectors in governance. In terms of implementation of programs, four certificates of ancestral domain titles (CADTs) have been defended and approved in Ocampo and Buhi in Camarines Sur, Tiwi in Albay and Capalonga in Camarines Norte. A total of 19,286 hectares of land were distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in 2002-2003. Existing Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) as of 2003 totaled 111 and are situated in 84 municipalities covering 85, 487 hectares of land. Housing services through the four major programs to wit: Community Mortgage Program (CMP), the Direct Housing Provision and Indirect Housing Provision delivered 18,819 units of housing assistance for 2001-2004. On the other hand, core shelter units under the Core Shelter Assistance Program were completed for occupancy during the same period.

For protection of the vulnerable groups, interventions include both community and institution-based programs and services for the children and youth, the elderly, the indigenous peoples, victims of disaster and workers in the informal sector. To expand social protection, the following interventions were pursued: (a) enrolment of 19,937 beneficiaries, translated to 107, 660 beneficiaries under the PhilHealth Program; (b) operation in 20 barangays of rolling stores carrying low-priced rice and other basic commodities in the region and (c) provision of insurance coverage to 704 farmers. On governance, efforts were exerted in institutionalizing the meaningful participation of civil society as exemplified by the participation of the basic sector groups in the Regional Kalahi Convergence Group (RKCG), Regional Agricultural Fisheries Council (RAFC), and other region- based organizations. Challenges and Priorities for Action Convergence of basic services in priority areas. While efforts and resources to improve the lives of the Bicolanos are being done by the national and local governments, challenges remain. Funding and delayed releases remain the biggest concern in the delivery of basic services particularly on the part of poor local government units (LGUs) where delivery of basic social services is constrained. Although there are existing programs addressing these concerns, the sporadic delivery and implementation in different areas and delays in the release of funds do not produce a strong effect that could be felt by the community. The challenge is to enable the LGUs to empower communities to address their minimum basic needs using the convergence approach of pooling together the human and material resources of national and local governments, non-government organizations and the people’s organizations. Greater collaboration and complementation of resources among the key stakeholders should be pursued for better service delivery and greater impact on poverty reduction efforts. Toward this end, Kalahi CIDSS Kaunlaran at Kapangyarihan sa Barangay and the Poder Y Prosperidad del Communidad projects which use the convergence approach, should be expanded to other municipalities and barangays. The Sixth Country Programme for Children should expand to other provinces (other than Camarines Norte and Masbate) with special focus on the disparity barangays. The victims of disasters should be provided relief, rehabilitation and other forms of assistance such as resettlement and housing especially to those rendered

homeless. Community-based protective and rehabilitative services should be provided to children with special needs, women in especially difficult circumstances, older persons and persons with disabilities. Tindahan Natin which offers cheap rice and basic commodities should be established in more poor barangays and communities. The Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCAs) and the Office for persons with Disabilities (OPDAs) should be reactivated/ strengthened in all municipalities to facilitate the provision of basic services. Promotion of livelihood opportunities. Self-employment assistance programs involving community-based credit assistance using people’s organization as credit conduits shall be promoted. Micro-credit services and seed capital including capability-building activities should be expanded and consumer education and advocacy through linkages and partnerships with media, LGUs and NGAs should be implemented. In addition, aggressive campaign should be conducted to educate the business sector of its corporate social responsibilities toward consumers. Fast-tracking the Asset Reform Program. Efforts should be focused to redistribute agricultural lands to more landless farmers and farm workers. The conversion of barangays with Certificate of Ancestral Domain (CAD) Claims to CAD Titles should be fast-tracked to benefit more indigenous peoples (Agta tribes). Efforts should be intensified to complete the regularization of tenure of families covered by Presidential Proclamation Numbers 40, 593 and 653 and Executive Order No. 90 in Albay and Legazpi City; Pili, Camarines Sur; and Bulan in Sorsogon. The thrust of asset reform offers much promise but is faced with resource challenges and constraints in program implementation. Localizing the poverty reduction efforts. The biggest challenge is to enable the LGUs to assume more active role in the implementation of anti-poverty programs and projects since they are in the best position to know who the poor are and what their needs are. Beyond legal mandates, however, it is important to enable the LGUs to take full responsibility for poverty reduction because this is consistent with the spirit of empowerment. The LGUs should go beyond the mere organization of Local Poverty Reduction Action Teams (LPRATs) and designation of Local Poverty Reduction Action Officers (LPRAOs) and pursue a realistic local poverty reduction action plan (LPRAP). The LPRAP should not be a separate plan from that of the existing development plans. There is a need to review the existing local plans, however, to sharpen its focus on poverty reduction such that poverty reduction is contained not only in a separate chapter but as an overarching concern of whole local plan. The LGUs should also develop the database for monitoring the situation of the poor and vulnerable groups at the local level and harmonize them with the monitoring systems for social development interventions at the national and sub-regional levels.

Target 2: Halve the proportion of population below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption and halve the proportion of underweight children (under 5 years old) Status and Trends Results of the 2003 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) survey revealed improvements in quantity and quality of food intake of Bicolano households. The proportion of Bicolano households with per capita intake below 100 percent dietary energy requirement increased from 59.9 percent in 1998 to 62 percent in 2003. It is now higher than the national figure of 56.9 percent in 2003. Meeting the MDG target of halving the proportion of underweight children reflects a high probability of attainment by 2015.

Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty & Hunger Target: Half the proportion of underweight among 0-5 year old children

Indicator: Proportion of underweight among 0-5 year old children based on IRS

Province/ City Baseline (2003) Current (2004) Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 40.5 23.1 20.25 0.01 high Camarines Norte 21.2 17.5 10.6 0.17 high Camarines Sur 41.4 26.5 20.7 0.04 high Catanduanes 34.9 23.8 17.45 0.05 high Masbate 35.5 24.4 17.75 0.05 high Sorsogon 21.8 20.8 10.9 0.90 high

City Iriga 10.4 9.8 5.2 0.70 high Legazpi 25.6 16 12.8 0.03 high Naga 6.7 5.6 3.35 0.19 high Region 5 33.6 22.6 16.8 0.05 high

Malnutrition however, still remains a major threat to Bicolanos. In the last three FNRI surveys (1998, 2001, 2003), Bicol has prevalence rates of 36.5 percent, 37.8 percent and 32.8 percent, respectively. These are higher than the national figures recorded to be at 32.0 percent, 30.6 percent and 27.6 percent, respectively. Using the International Reference Standards, the prevalence of malnutrition was 33.6 percent in 2003 and dropped to 22.6 percent in 2004 based on the data from the Department of Health (DOH). With these trends, there is high probability of achieving the 2015 target of 16.8 percent. All provinces and cities have high probability of achieving their respective targets by 2015.

A comparison of the provinces and cities revealed that there have been significant decreases in the prevalence of underweight among children 0-5 year old. However, four out of the six provinces (Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Masbate) have prevalence rates higher than the regional figure of 22.6 percent. Micronutrient deficiencies in Vitamin A, iron and iodine continue to be a public health problem and are likely to be a major contributor to Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Child Mortality Rate (CMR) and morbidity. In 2003, iron and iodine deficiencies remained high. The prevalence of iron- deficiency anemia among pregnant and lactating mothers was still high. Priority Policies and Programs The region has been implementing the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition with several program interventions for the affected families and children in the region, as follows: Home, School and Community Food Production, Micronutrient Supplementation, Food Fortification, Nutrition Information, Communication and Education, Food Assistance, Livelihood Assistance and Nutrition in Essential Maternal and Child Health Services. Specific programs include the following: 1. Bright Child Program – a package of interventions on food, nutrition,

health, early education and psycho-social programs for children 0-17 years; implemented in four provinces – Albay (Malilipot, Pio Duran, Manito, Oas); Camarines Norte (J. Panganiban, Labo); Masbate (Claveria, Monreal); Camarines Sur (Minalabac, San Jose, Tigaon, Calabanga, Pasacao, Bula, Baao, Pamplona and Libmanan).

2. Supplemental Feeding Program under Ahon Bayan Project- aims to

generate resources for the delivery of day care services and in the conduct of supplemental feeding program covering priority barangays with high incidence of malnutrition; covered the provinces of Albay (Bgys. Bagatangki and Quinarabasahan), and Camarines Sur (Barangay Pararao and Siramag).

3. Food For Work Program – addresses the basic food and the socio-

economic needs of the poor through employment and livelihood opportunities for a sustained family income; piloted in 11 municipalities in Camarines Sur covering 335 barangays.

4. Pabasa sa Nutrisyon Project – a strategy and tool for nutrition workers in communicating proper nutrition among families to effectively improve and control malnutrition; implemented in the provinces of Albay and Catanduanes with 1,080 parents/mothers as beneficiaries.

5. National Expanded Pre-school Program – aims to eradicate the incidence

of hunger and malnutrition in the region especially the undernourished day care children; piloted in Albay (Malinao, Pio Duran, Jovellar), Camarines Norte (Basud, Capalonga and Mercedes), and Masbate (Uson, Placer and Balud).

6. Early Childhood Care and Development Program – refers to child and

family-oriented services designed to build and improve the existing health, nutrition and early education services for disadvantaged children.

7. School Feeding Program – includes Fortified Biscuits and Milk Feeding,

Fresh Milk Feeding, Breakfast Feeding, Food for School Program (Bigas Para sa Mag-aaral at Pamilya), Teacher Child Parent Approach and Intervida School Feeding.

8. Micronutrient Supplementation, Promotion of Breastfeeding, Food

Fortification, Iodized Salt Utilization, Patak Asin. Challenges and Priorities for Action Strengthen advocacy efforts among local chief executives (LCEs) to the nutrition program. The high prevalence of malnutrition in the region can be attributed to inadequate food intake and presence of infectious diseases. Inadequate food supply, poor eating habits and infant feeding practices, low purchasing power, underemployment/unemployment, poor nutrition knowledge and negative attitude were underlying causes of inadequate food intake. On the other hand, the presence of infectious diseases, diarrhea and malnutrition were attributed to inadequate maternal and child care practices, poor environmental sanitation, lack of potable water supply, poor toilet facilities poor housing condition, family values and inadequate health/social services being provided by LGUs. To improve the nutritional well-being of every Bicolanos particularly the children, there is a need to strengthen advocacy efforts among LCEs particularly on: (1) the implementation of nutrition programs and projects in their locality; (2) providing increased funding allocation for nutrition program implementation along the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition; and, (3) support and compliance to Salt Iodization (ASIN) and Food Fortification Laws (Republic Act Nos. 8172 and 8976).

There is also a need to include in the local plantilla, a full-time Nutrition Action Officers position who should be a Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian for every LGU at the provincial, city and municipal levels. Related to this, the senate bill on “Strengthening the Nutrition Program” (ANI bill), which calls for an increased financial support for Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and on ensuring the appointment of full-time Nutrition Action Officers at the local level should be supported Need for food-based interventions for sustained improvements in the nutritional status. This involves the establishment of kitchen gardens in the home, school and in communities using a wide range of activities and technologies to serve as source of additional food for the home. Campaign and advocacy on the utilization of iodized salt and fortified food products should also be intensified. This is in line with the mandatory fortification of salt with iodine, rice with iron, flour with iron and vitamin A, and sugar and cooking oil with vitamin A and also the voluntary fortification of processed foods through the Sangkap Pinoy Seal program. Also adopt and institutionalize community-based projects and activities, e.g., LAKASS, BIDANI and other interventions through a combination of direct services and development projects targeting priority areas and ensure that food production is integrated with local poverty alleviation efforts. School feeding through breakfast and milk feeding should be revived for underweight school children in Grades 1 and 2. The Department of Education, therefore, should revive the School Feeding Program/School Hot Lunch Program and intensify full integration of nutrition concept in all school subjects both in the elementary and secondary levels. Likewise, price discounts on basic food commodities for poor households through the Food for Work and Food for School Program and the greater market access Para Sa Mamamayan Rolling Stores should be continued. Accord attention to adolescent females, pregnant or lactating mothers and children 1-3 years old. Efforts should be focused on the distribution of iron and iodine supplements to infants, pregnant and lactating women, including female adolescents to prevent or correct micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A deficiency disorder (VADD) and iodine deficiency anemia (IDA). Center-based supplementary feeding should continue to be provided to children who are wasted and stunted and with record of low birth weight and young children aged 6-36 months old.

Nutrition should also continue to be included in essential maternal and child health services. This involves the delivery of essential maternal and child health and nutrition package of services that will ensure the right of the child to survival, development, protection and participation. Among others, it includes newborn screening, infant and young child feeding and breastfeeding, strengthened implementation of the Milk Code and the mother and baby-friendly hospitals. Train nutrition workers to continually upgrade their knowledge, competencies and skills. LCEs should ensure that all nutrition action officers are trained on nutrition program management. On the other hand, barangay nutrition scholars and other frontline workers and service providers must be continually trained to become effective links in nutrition improvement and community development. Effective implementation of nutrition interventions with other services. Complementation with other interventions such as training on functional literacy, enterprise education and health and nutrition education, including values formation. Programs and services should also include the provision of credit and livelihood opportunities to poor and malnourished households through linkage with lending and financial institutions. Nutrition information, communication and education campaign. This includes educating the public through information campaigns and other nutrition education activities by encouraging them to make sound food and diet-related choices and decisions. In the long term, this is envisioned to effect positive changes in behavior and make good nutrition and healthy lifestyle a daily household habit.

Goal 2 ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION

Target 3: Universal access to primary education by 2015 Status and Trends Access to basic education has barely improved from 1990. The participation rate in elementary education decreased from 85.81 percent in 1990 to 85.07 percent in 2004. Cohort Survival Rate (CSR) has slightly improved from 65.68 in 1990 to 79.45 in 2004, indicating the increasing proportion of children who enrolled in Grade 1 and reached Grade 6.

In terms of the probability of attaining the targets in school participation, the region posted a low probability and needs to more than double its efforts. Except for Masbate and Iriga, which have high probability of attaining their targets, the other provinces and cities have lower probabilities of reaching the MDG target on participation rate. For Cohort Survival Rate, however, the region has medium probability in the attainment of the MDG. The provinces with high probability of attaining the target are Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. Masbate’s cohort survival rate had the largest increase from 47.37 percent in 1990 to 70.53 percent in 2004. This may be thought of as a significant accomplishment considering the low economic condition of the province.

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Target: Achieve universal access to primary education by 2015

Indicator: Participation rate in primary education

Province/ City Baseline (1990)

Current (2004)

Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 90.01 83.83 100 3.33 low Camarines Norte 87.93 84.75 100 6.10 low Camarines Sur 86.47 83.98 100 8.19 low Catanduanes 88.58 86.64 100 8.76 low Masbate 74.98 90.3 100 0.81 high Sorsogon 87.24 82.74 100 4.88 low

City Iriga 88.18 72.51 100 1.91 medium Legazpi 91.72 72.45 100 1.56 medium Naga 88.2 79.8 100 2.62 low Region 5 85.81 85.07 100 25.68 low

Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education Target: Achieve universal access to primary education by 2015

Indicator: Cohort survival rate in primary education


Current (2004)

Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 72.93 81.97 100 2.18 low Camarines Norte 80.38 91.21 100 0.89 high Camarines Sur 68.67 75.36 100 4.02 low Catanduanes 72.18 90.98 100 0.52 high Masbate 47.37 70.53 100 1.39 high Sorsogon 65.01 82.54 100 1.09 high

City Iriga 77.23 82.99 100 3.22 low Legazpi 86.06 84.01 100 8.51 low Naga 80.67 76.95 100 6.76 low Region 5 66.68 79.45 100 1.76 medium

In 2003-2004, the number of 3-5 year old children enrolled in formal pre-school and served in the day care centers of the local government units increased by 52.21 percentage points and 3.89 respectively. Subsequently the region’s total number of day care centers (DCCs) increased from 3,777 to 3,895. However, out of the 3,471 barangays in the region 356 still need to establish DCCs. Although there was an increase of grade I enrollees with early childhood care experience from 35.53 percent in 2003 to 48.27 percent in 2004, only about 30.62 percent of children aged 3-5 years old availed of the pre-school and day care center services. Priority Policies and Program The pre- school program which has been designed for prospective Grade 1 entrants to provide stimulating experiences before going to formal classes in Grade 1 established 335 pre-schools in the region. Similarly, 12 new elementary and 17 secondary schools were established in SY 2004-2005. Under the Pre- School Service Contracting Scheme which aims to provide preschool experience particularly in the 5th and 6th class municipalities, urban, slum, poor communities and relocation areas through private service providers who serve as conduits, a total of 55 classes with 1,375 enrolled children were established. Other strategic interventions for a more focused ECCD program implementation included: a) DepEd modified first 6-8 weeks pre-school curriculum for Grade I to offset the absence of ECCD experience of Grade I enrollees; and b) provision of the revised Day Care Manual of DCCs and conduct of trainer’s training on the use of the manual for day care workers. The implementation of the ECCD program in the pilot provinces of Albay, Catanduanes and Camarines Norte and the Bright Child both addressed the development of children 0-6 years old through an integrated program on health, nutrition and early education interventions. The school’s holding capacity were carried out through the following strategic measures: a) implementation of the Self-Learning During Absence from Class Program, Balik-Paaralan, Multi-Grade and Drop-Out Intervention Program; b) establishment of alternative school set-up, i.e Strong Republic Schools and integrated schools that provide a unified instructional program; and c) strengthening school-community educational partnership at the elementary level i.e School-Home Involvement Program.

The Alternative Learning System (ALS) Mobile program brings education where the learners are. Under this program, the target clientele are families whose income fall far below the poverty line and usually living in far-flung underserved areas or communities. Other impact programs are (1) the Special Education Program which intends to cater to the educational needs of the differently-abled children who are hearing-impaired, visually-impaired,, learning impaired, mentally retarded and mentally handicapped, orthopedically handicapped, those with behavioral problems, autistic, chronically ill, cerebral palsy and speech defectives; (2) the Drop Out Intervention Program where supplemental feeding and parent-teacher collaboration for school activities are forged to minimize absenteeism and drop-outs among the pupils and the operationalisation of the child friendly school system (CFSS) strategy. Challenges and Priorities for Action Improving Access. Access to primary education has barely improved. There is a need to increase the coverage and provide good quality services for early childhood care and development (ECCD) in the region since ECCD strengthens the probability that students will perform better once they enter the formal schooling. More logistical support (i.e., adequate and regular compensation and training of day care workers; instructional materials and equipment; and infrastructure) coupled with intensified campaign on the importance of services for ECCD are necessary to help upgrade the services being offered by the various DCCs in the region. Closer coordination and efficient working relationship among DepEd, DSWD, LGUs and other concerned agencies is important to implement innovative and sustainable strategies for ECCD. Education intervention programs in line with the concept of bringing education where the learners are should be vigorously pursued. Factor that keep children from entering schools include the following: I) inaccessibility of schools; ii) absence of elementary schools offering complete grade levels; iii) parents poor socio-economic condition; iv) being forced by poverty to work instead of attending school; and v) peace and order situation. Thus to address low school participation rates in the region and keep children in school, substantial improvements in the socio-economic status and quality of life of the Bicolanos must take place. Therefore, implementation of anti poverty and other support programs must be intensified to improve family income. Likewise the school system has to offer more innovative and appropriate services such as mobile teachers, modified school calendar for working children which will not coincide with harvest time and improvement of school facilities.

Improving school retention capacity. The holding power of schools remains a major challenge as shown in basic education performance indicators such as cohort survival rate, drop-out rate and completion rate. The holding power of schools needs to be improved to reduce the number of school leavers. The school’s holding power may be strengthened through frequent home visitation by teachers, upgrading the teacher-learning process, improving teacher’s competence and other remedial measures to reduce drop-outs. While poverty-related factors continue to have adverse effect on drop-out rates there are also school and teacher factors which contribute to the incidence of drop-outs. Incomplete grades coupled with deficient school facilities and inadequately prepared teachers are further deterrents to encourage pupils to stay on in school. To address these concerns the government and other concerned agencies can improve school facilities and the level of competency and adequacy of preparation of teachers. Implementation of short and long term projects geared towards generating employment to alleviate the socio-economic condition and other support programs like health, nutrition, community support system crucial to keep children in school must be intensified. Improving governance, resource allocation and utilization. The role of local school boards in over-seeing quality of education in their localities needs to be strengthened. Members of the Board should be concerned with the low performance of some indicators and should lend their support to the improvement of the quality of education in local schools and people’s access to schools. Public spending for basic education should increase over time to cope with the increase in school-age children, which may lead to lack of classrooms and inadequate teaching materials including books. Similarly, a rationalized allocation of resoures for education inputs must be set accompanied by realistic deployment of teachers and efficient distribution of textbooks and other equipment. Likewise the school and area-based management that empowers school heads to manage the school’s personnel, fiscal and physical resources must be fully implemented and promoted.

Goal 3 PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER WOMEN

Target 4: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education not later than 2015

Status and Trends Results from the 2003 Functional Literacy Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) indicate Bicolanas 10 years old and over having higher rates than the Bicolanos in both simple (96.3 percent vs. 93.8 percent) and functional (83.8 percent vs. 76.6 percent) literacy. Gender parity seeks to equalize opportunities among sexes, e.g. in accessing basic education. It is measured by taking the ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary and tertiary education. The ideal therefore is a gender parity of 1.0 – which means that girls and boys enjoy equal access. But given the bias against girls in most societies, a figure above 1.0 is to be preferred than those below it. The Gender Parity Index data at 0.98 for CY 2004-2005 in primary education showed that there is no disparity on the participation rates of boys and girls in the region. However, boys lagged behind girls in terms of Cohort Survival Rate in elementary (74.01 percent and 64.47 percent) as indicated by the Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 1.15.

Goal 3: Promote Gender Parity Target: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, and in all levels of education not later than 2015

Indicator: Gender parity index based on participation in primary education


Current (2005) Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 1.03 0.98 1 0.56 high Camarines Norte 1 0.99 1 1.40 high Camarines Sur 1.03 0.98 1 0.56 high Catanduanes 1 0.98 1 1.40 high Masbate 1 0.99 1 1.40 high Sorsogon 1 0.98 1 1.40 high

City Iriga 1.01 1.02 1 Legazpi 1.01 1.01 1 Naga 1.01 1.04 1 Region 5 1.02 0.98 1 0.70 high

Employment rate for both women and men in 2003 was 86.3 percent. Regional data for 1996 showed that majority of the employed females (72.7 percent) worked in areas of professionals, technical, managerial, services and clerical work. Majority worked in wholesale and retail trade sector (68 percent).

In 2003, more than 82.6 percent of women aged 15 years old and over were in the labor force, compared to 52. 1 percent of men. The participation among women continued to increase from 53.5 percent in 1996 to 82.6 percent in 2003. Priority Policies and Programs Along education, literacy classes and continuing education programs such as Basic Literacy Program, Mobile Program, literacy cum livelihood programs and Balik Paaralan Para sa Out of School Adults are provided to out-of-school youths and adults. The government sector have implemented notable projects for women especially on the delivery of health services and provision of livelihood assistance. The bulk of women specific programs, projects, activities were those that catered to the health wellness of women through the provision of medical assistance, programs on nutrition and other health services. These projects were particularly made more available to the disadvantaged women. Challenges and Priorities for Action Continue the promotion of women and children’s welfare especially those in difficult circumstances. Concerned agencies shall continue to implement programs and activities on improving women and children’s health and nutrition. More women and children’ desks should be established particularly abroad to address the concerns of women OFWs. Strengthen promotion and advocacy of GAD in the region. Raising awareness and deepening the appreciation of local government units, agencies and other institutions on GAD would significantly contribute to better planning, increased budget allocation and better delivery of services and interventions especially on women and children. Advocacy activities must not only be the concern of the government but should involve the private sector, non-government organizations and people’s organizations. The DILG should also look into strengthening the functionality of GAD focal point mechanisms and GAD efforts to effectively mainstream GAD concerns at the local level. Providing better opportunities for women. As more and more women are educated, their potentials could be tapped by providing them more opportunities in opening their own businesses and giving them more access to capital, credit, market, information and technical assistance. Among the interventions needed is the strengthening of the Self-Employment Assistance –Kaunlaran an integrated program for women associations that would increase the number of women

engaged in various employment and livelihood activities and contribute to the diversification of livelihood opportunities for women. Another is advocating for the increased capital outlay or budget allocation for credit and enterprise development programs for women. Establishing networks of GOs, NGOs, private sector and women’s groups is also another positive step for sharing of appropriate technologies, enterprise development programs and marketing strategies. While women are gradually becoming more noticeable as decision makers and leaders in various sectors in society, their participation is not proportional to their numbers. There is a need to strengthen, for instance, women’s representation in economic decision-making bodies in both government and business sector. This can be achieved by conducting seminars in group organizing, leadership training for women workers and advocating for bigger financial allocation for organization building for women. Encourage participation of men and boys in education. On the whole, women dominate men on the aspect of education. There are more literate women than men; and women still has the highest number in terms of enrollment, cohort survival and completion rate. Information dissemination and advocacies should be in place to motivate the male population to pursue higher education. Curriculum should be continuously enhanced to accommodate the changing needs of girls, boys, men and women. The Department of Education must study the low participation especially drop-out cases among boys and identify strategies and programs to address this concern. Increase awareness and utilization of sex-disaggregated statistics and indicators at the local level. One of the challenges in mainstreaming GAD is the lack of gender statistics at the municipal and barangay levels for better gender-responsive planning and budgeting. There is a need to set-up and maintain a GAD database that would entail the regular generation, production and promotion of sex-disaggregated data. This can be made possible through the DevInfo database program or the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS). Devinfo is a dabase system develop under United Nations partnership to monitor the progress towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals. On the other hand, CBMS is a system for collecting household information at the local level. It involves complete enumeration of all households to provide information on the extent of poverty in a barangay, municipality or city, but more importantly, who or where the poor are.

Goal 4 REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY

Target 5: Reduce Under five Mortality Rate by two-thirds by 2015 Status and Trends Mortality levels among young children have continued to decline. Under-five mortality rates (UFMR) dropped from 47.68 deaths per 1,000 livebirths in 1990 to 23.1 deaths in 2003. Camarines Norte and Catanduanes had the highest under-five mortality rate. Infant mortality rates (IMR) were also reduced from 25.19 deaths in 1990 to 13.06 in 2003. The province of Camarines Norte had also the highest proportion of children who died before reaching age 5. The region and all the provinces and cities have high chances of achieving their targets for UFMR and IMR by 2015, except for Naga City which posted a low probability since the city showed only a minimal improvement from 21.32 in 1990 to only 19.05 in 2002. The improvements are attributed to the implementation of programs such as Vitamin A supplementation, breastfeeding practices and improvement of case management at home and in health facilities.

Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality Target: Reduce children under-five mortality by two-thirds by 2015

Indicator: Under-five mortality rate


Current (2002)

Target (2015)



Target


City Iriga 35.7 17.19 11.90 0.26 high Legazpi 44.19 24.69 14.73 0.47 high Naga 21.32 19.05 7.11 4.86 low Region 5 47.68 23.1 15.89 0.27 high


Indicator: Infant mortality rate


Current (2002)

Target (2015)



Target


City Iriga 20.11 9.59 6.70 0.25 high Legazpi 26.1 15.71 8.70 0.62 high Naga 10.88 11.01 3.63 52.43 low Region 5 25.19 13.06 8.40 0.35 high

Fully immunized children decreased from 93 percent in 1990 to 87 percent in 2004. The drop is due to irregular vaccination schedules, lack of follow-up of defaulters, lack of training for health workers, deterioration of the cold chain system, poor stocks management and inadequate funds of the LGUs for Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) activities. Lowest were Camarines Sur (80%), Catanduanes (80%), and Camarines Norte (82%). The region has a medium chance of attaining the target of 95% coverage by 2015. All the provinces except Camarines Norte and Catanduanes and all the cities have high probability of attaining their targets by 2015. Masbate and the cities of Legazpi and Naga have already attained the 95% FIC overage.


Indicator: Percent of fully immunized children


Current (2004)

Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 109 88.7 95 0.37 high Camarines Norte 79 81.8 95 5.57 low Camarines Sur 90 80.5 95 1.80 medium Catanduanes 73 80.1 95 2.48 low Masbate 103 95.9 95 0.15 high


Indicator: Percent of fully immunized children Sorsogon 97 86.5 95 0.96 high

City Iriga 53 87.2 95 0.27 high Legazpi 65 95.9 95 0.03 high Naga 86 111.7 95 0.77 high Region 5 93 87 95 1.58 medium

Priority Policies and Programs The government promotes children’s health through safe birth, breastfeeding, proper nutrition and supplementation, full immunization and treatment of child illnesses such as pneumonia and diarrhea, among others. Maternal health care services include prenatal, antenatal check-ups to ensure safe delivery with early recognition of birth complications. Breastfeeding promotion is continually being institutionalized to achieve and sustain “Baby-Friendly” environment. The Expanded Immunization Program intends to improve survival rate of children from common childhood diseases such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and tetanus. To facilitate promotion of child growth and development including psychosocial stimulation, the Enhanced Child Growth Project is likewise given focus. The Nutrition Program designed to prevent nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies through strategies on food security and reinforcement and expansion of food fortification and supplementation is also being enforced. Proven to have been successful in terms of implementation is the integration of growth monitoring and promotion with EPI services.

Challenges and Priorities for Action

Improve the level of immunization coverage. Health workers shall continue to serve the hard to reach population groups with high prevalence of infant and child mortality and morbidity. The EPI service delivery and information systems will be more intensively used to deliver integrated services. Immunization days will also be used to detect problematic and high-risk children and deliver important health messages aside from immunization such as the promotion of breastfeeding and proper weaning. Strengthen LGU provision and management of MCH services. With the LGUs as the primary provider of basic health care services, strengthening of health care management will be given focus. To address this, the following shall be

undertaken; (a) improving management systems for service delivery; (b) exploring financing options for key community-based health programs, and (3) enhancing performance indicators among service providers. There’s also a need to enhance LGU capability and accountability. Improve policy dissemination. Timely dissemination of policy is essential in the implementation of programs and projects for maternal and child health. Efforts shall be pursued to reach stakeholders through advocacy fora, IEC, and information campaigns to get across important health messages and concerns. Of importance is the formulation and updating of policies and guidelines to meet the growing needs and to keep up with new technologies and the changing epidemiology of childhood diseases. Improve policy environment for financing and provision of services. Some policy initiatives could be adopted to focus on better policy measures, i.e. Milk Code, Asin Law, Rooming-In and Breastfeeding that would ensure service provision and sustainable financing for information, services and products that will facilitate the delivery of services.

Goal 5 IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTH

Target 6: Reduce maternal mortality rate by three-fourths by 2015 (half by 2000, half by 2015) Status and Trends An increase in Maternal Mortality (MMR) was noted from 1.26 maternal deaths per 1,000 livebirths in 1990 to 1.59 deaths in 2003. Camarines Norte and Masbate have the highest rate at 2.75 and 2.3 deaths respectively. Common causes of deaths are post partum hemorrhage, pre-eclampsia. Regional probability of achievement of the 2015 goal for this indicator is low. All the provinces except Catanduanes and the cities of Iriga and Legazpi have also low probability of attaining the target by 2015. Factors contributory to the status of health among mothers include presence of a skilled birth attendant at the time of the delivery, availability of transportation, access to equipped referral hospital, quality pre-natal and post natal coverage and access to family planning services.

The 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) showed that live birth attendance by medical personnel increased from 51.43 percent in 1993 to 59.8 in 2003. Of this, 53 percent were attended by traditional birth attendants or hilots, 31 percent by rural health midwives, 13 percent by physicians and one percent by nurses.

Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health Target: Reduce maternal mortality rate by three quarters by 2015

Indicator: Maternal mortality rate


Current (2003)

Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 1.02 1.59 0.26 2.54 low Camarines Norte 1.49 2.75 0.37 2.04 low Camarines Sur 1.34 1.04 0.34 2.55 low Catanduanes 0.91 1.74 0.23 1.97 medium Masbate 2.13 2.3 0.53 11.26 low Sorsogon 1.2 1.35 0.30 7.58 low

City Iriga 2.05 1.94 0.51 14.06 low Legazpi 1.03 2.24 0.26 1.77 medium Naga 0.73 0.9 0.18 4.57 low Region 5 1.26 1.59 0.32 4.17 low

Priority Policies and Programs Starting 2000, Safe Motherhood and Women's Health was promoted through the following strategies: (1) training; (2) information dissemination; (3) social mobilization; (4) community participation and (5) upgrading of equipment for obstetric emergencies. The Ligtas Buntis Campaign was undertaken in 2005 to increase the visibility of family planning as an essential public health service. It also provided adequate and factual information on fertility and various medically safe and legally acceptable family planning services to enable men and women to have responsible decisions based on informed choices or options. The activities conducted were Family Planning Survey, Quiz Bee, Media Orientation, DIR HART sales conference and Silent “Salesmen.” The government promoted maternal health through safe motherhood and providing family planning services. * Safe motherhood is all about improving the well-being of mothers through a comprehensive approach of providing a preventive, promotive and curative health care and ensure the birth of healthy infant. The program

includes antenatal and postpartum care, clean and safe delivery and early recognition of pregnancy-related complications. It also includes the Female Functional Literacy Program that aims to empower women through an appreciation of their capacity to contribute to their own health and nutrition care. The Second Phase of the Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project is being implemented to assist disadvantaged women of reproductive age to gain sustained access to high quality and cost-effective reproductive health services. It also aims to assist in the development and implementation of local health systems. Program activities include (a) establishment of women’s health team and network in every barangay; (b) operation of Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (BEMOC/CEMOC); (c) facilitate drug and contraceptive security and safe blood supply; (d) behavior change interventions; and (e) sustainable financing of local WHSMP services and commodities. * The Reinforced Planned Parenthood Program provides services that decrease the number of unplanned pregnancies when effective methods of contraception are available. It includes universal coverage of pre-marriage counseling and the provision of modern methods as well as permanent methods of contraception. The Natural Family Planning Program is likewise implemented to promote an alternative method of contraception for those who cannot use or are not suited for the modern methods of contraception. Challenges and Priorities for Action Maternal mortality maybe reduced if government, health sector and individual community members would mobilize every possible means and resources to ensure the safety and pregnancy and childbirth of all women. Adequate and appropriate budget support from the government, efficient and effective health sector performance, and active community participation are essential. Other priorities for action include the following: (1) sustaining efforts in safe motherhood and ensure adequate logistics for pre-natal, natal and post-natal services; (2) institutionalize quality pre-pregnancy, pre-natal, natal and post natal care among LGUs by advocating the Sentrong Sigla Quality Standards; and (3) implementation of the Hospital, RHU and Community-Based Emergency Obstetric Care.

Accelerate efforts to improve maternal health. Maternal health situation in the region is very slow in terms of progress. This is due to the limited resources for maternal health services. It is then necessary for the local government units to provide adequate funding for the promotion of women’s health.

Women’s health will be promoted through improvements in functional literacy services for women and providing materials for responsible parenthood, among others. Safe motherhood initiatives will stress preventive measures during the pre-natal, natal and post-natal period, early detection of complications, and obstetrical emergency services. These will include training of service deliverers, advocacy among local government units, and women participation in health care. Improve data collection and data quality. Data collection and quality relative to data on maternal health has to be given attention to enable decision-makers to develop appropriate policies and programs to improve maternal health. Of importance would be information on mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) which determine the way they perceive and use health services as well as their self-care behavior in terms of nutrition and preventive health. Maternal death review for provinces and cities shall also be undertaken to better monitor causes of maternal deaths. Target 7: Increase access to reproductive health (RH) services to 60 percent by 2005, 80 percent by 2010 and 100 percent by 2015 Status and Trends Based on National Statistics Office (NSO) estimates, the total fertility rate (TFR) of the region is declining from 4.2 percent ( 2000-2005) to 3.91 percent (2005-2010). In the 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey, actual fertility was highest in Bicol at 5.9 children, far from the average number of children desired by Bicolanas at 3.5 children. Contraceptive Prevalence Rate or the percentage of currently married women 15-49 years of age reporting current use of any method of contraception increased from 36 percent in 1993 to 47.4 percent in 2003. This may be attributed to the growing awareness of women about family planning. However, more women use the traditional methods of family planning (20 percent), compared to 17 percent who used the modern methods consisting of pills, IUD, female sterilization and other modern methods. The region’s chance of achieving the target of increasing contraceptive prevalence and condom use by 2015 is low. Priority Policies and Programs Among the programs being implemented are the Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program, Adolescent Health and Youth Development, Population and

Development Integration, and Program Advocacy including information dissemination on reproductive health and the population program as a whole. Challenges and Priorities for Action To increase access to quality reproductive health and family planning services, the following efforts shall be pursued: trainings of health personnel, expansion of reproductive health clinics and upgrading of facilities and equipment, integration of family planning, maternal/child health and reproductive and sexual health services. The Responsible Parenting Movement shall also be undertaken and advocated especially at the local levels. Particularly for the adolescents, appropriate information and knowledge on Reproductive Health-related problems will be provided through counseling services, capability building, advocacy and communication.

Goal 6 COMBAT HIV/AIDS, MALARIA AND OTHER DISEASES

Target 8: Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015 HIV/AIDS Status and Trends HIV/AIDS. According to DOH, Bicol accounts for 25 cases or one percent of the 2,354 cumulative HIV/ AIDS cases in the Philippines from January 1994 to September 2005. Their ages range from 4 to 59 years old and by province, they are broken down as follows- Camarines Sur: 10, Albay:8, Sorsogon: 3, Camarines Norte:2, and 1 case each from Catanduanes and Masbate. Of these, seven have died. In the 2003 National Demographic and Health Survey, about 45 percent of women and 67 percent of men knew that AIDS can be prevented by using condom and limiting sex to one uninfected partner. Condom use rate decreased from 3.03 percent to 2.25 percent. Priority Policies and Programs The Center for Health Development Bicol upgraded the STI Surveillance System in 1997 through the establishment of referral centers to evaluate and strengthen the HIV/AIDS/STI Program. Reproductive Health Tract Clinics (formerly known as Social Hygiene Clinics) were established in Polangui, Tabaco City, Legazpi

City, Daraga, Guinobatan in Albay; Naga City, Pili, and Canaman in Camarines Sur; Daet in Camarines Norte; and Matnog and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon. Challenges and Priorities for Action For HIV-AIDS prevention and control, the region shall work on enhancing the capability for diagnosis and management of cases through the conduct of training for health workers, augmenting logistics for diagnosis and treatment of selected health facilities and developing a mechanism for accurate contact tracing. Efforts shall be pursued along promotion of behavior modification among high-risk individuals. Target 9: Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases by 2015 Malaria Status and Trends The region has posted an average of 44 malaria cases during the period 2001-2005 with significant reductions from 2001 to succeeding years. There are no recorded deaths due to malaria. Malaria is endemic in five provinces of the region. Based on the 2001 stratification of areas, Albay, Masbate, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur were classified as Category C provinces based on the geographical and epidemiological features of malaria. Camarines Norte is Category B which has moderate endemicity. Catanduanes has remained malaria-free due to the absence of the vector. Priority Policies and Programs The Malaria Control Program (MCP) involves several preventive and control measures. Interventions done were community health education, mass blood screening, mosquito bed net impregnation and carabao-bait trap. The other components of prevention and control are early detection and prompt treatment, multi-sectoral collaboration, partnership with GOs and NGOs, LGU advocacy and social mobilization and active participation by Malaria Surveillance and Vector Control (MASUVECCO) and CVMS in the region.

Challenges and Priorities for Action The morbidity rate for malaria is declining, intensified prevention and control should be sustained since factors attributed to the transmission of the disease are still present. Toward this, frontline health workers should be trained and necessary supplies and drugs need to be available. Linkaging of activities with other sectors is also a must. Tuberculosis Status and Trends Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the ten leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the region. Morbidity rate of TB (all forms) went down from 280 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 71 per 100,000 population in 2005. Deaths due to TB have also declined from 37.85 deaths per 100,000 population in 2000 to 30.59 deaths per 100,000 population in 2005. The provinces with most number of cases are Masbate and Sorsogon and the cities of Legazpi, Naga, and Iriga. TB cure rate increased from 83 percent in 2001 to 86 percent in 2004, however, achieving the target by 2015 to halt the incidence of TB has low probability.

Goal 6: Combat HIV/ AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases Target: Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases by 2015

Indicator: Deaths due to TB per 100,000


Current (2004)

Target (2015)


Probability of Attaining the Target

Province Albay 42.86 29.14 0 0.77 high Camarines Norte 28.24 29.03 0 13.36 low Camarines Sur 38.21 36.31 0 6.95 low Catanduanes 42.58 19.38 0 0.30 high Masbate 29.32 26.67 0 3.66 low Sorsogon 36.07 27.79 0 1.22 high

City Iriga 32.56 30.47 0 5.30 low Legazpi 51.88 51.06 0 22.64 low Naga 64.87 18.3 0 0.14 high Region 5 40.26 30.59 0 3.74 low

Priority Policies and Programs A National Tuberculosis Control Program has been implemented in the region. It has two major components: case finding and case holding. At present, the main strategy of the program is the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) where case detection is identified through direct sputum smear microscopy. In line with the standardization of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) implementation policies, orientations had been done to almost 100% of health workers in the region on the Revised Manual of Procedures (MOP) for the National TB Control Program. The MOP strengthened the capacity of hospital staff and RHU staff in TB management. A TB Reference Laboratory was established in DOH-CHD Bicol in partnership with Spanish Government through Medicus del Mundo. Major events/ activities in the NTP include : installation of the Public-Private Mix (PPM) DOTS centers in City Health Offices of Tabaco, Naga and Legazpi, and Sorsogon Medical Mission Group of Hospitals. Challenges and Priorities for Action Despite achievements in the prevention and control of malaria and TB, certain issues and concerns prevail, as follows: (1) improving provision of services by making available drugs and other logistics, and diagnostic services; (2) upgrading the managerial and technical capacities of health workers; and (3) strengthening monitoring and evaluation.

Goal 7 ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Target 10: Implement national strategies for sustainable development by 2005, to reverse loss of environmental resources by 2015 Status and Trends Latest environment indicators of the region indicate environmental degradation due to pressures from changing lifestyles, uncontrolled population growth, urbanization, technology modernization and sophistication, global competitiveness, unstable political and economic conditions.

A. Forest Resources and Watersheds The region has a land area of 1,763,252 hectares (17,633 sq. km.) and is classified into forestland and alienable and disposable lands. There was an increase in the forest cover of the region from 59,100 hectares in 1991 to 156,476 hectares in 2003. Dipterocarp forest accounted for 140,902 hectares, mangrove – 13,499 hectares and plantation – 2,075 hectares. The forest rate of degradation is 11,172 hectares per year commonly caused by kaingin, illegal logging, typhoon and other forms of calamities. This is further aggravated by the continued illegal use of forestlands and forest products. The region has 11 proclaimed watershed forest reserves covering an aggregate area of 37,723.95 hectares. There are 14 priority watersheds that provide water for agricultural, commercial and domestic use mainly in lowland areas. B. Biodiversity Resources Fourteen biodiversity conservation priority areas both terrestrial and marine were identified in the region under the Philippine Conservation Priorities. These are classified either as of very high priority, extremely high critical and extremely high urgent depending on the risk of losing the biodiversity characteristics of the area. There are around 35 species of flora 127 species of fauna in the region . It has been noted that boundaries of declared natural and national parks are not delineated and in place, thus effective conservation and management is difficult to attain. C. Coastal and Marine Resources Bicol has extensive coastline and sea coasts which are identified with numerous bays and gulfs. The region accounts for about six percent (2,077 kms.) of the total coastline of the country. It has four principal bays, noted for their rich marine resources. There are 16 major marine fishing grounds. The economic significance of the coastal and marine waters in the region is traceable to the coastal/ near-shore and offshore fisheries opportunities. The coastal and marine ecosystems are considered important sources of livelihood for around 86,822 full time and 52,839 part-time fisherfolks in the region. D. Air Quality From 2000 to 2004, the region was noted to have FAIR concentration level of air pollutants as measured in the Air Quality Monitoring Stations located in the cities

of Legazpi, Naga and Iriga. These stations monitor pollutants to protect public health and welfare, reduce damage to property; and provide an air quality management control strategy for emission limitations from mobile and stationary sources. The computed stationary source emissions for CY 2004 are 407.24 tons -Carbon Monoxide (CO), 1,199.19 tons - Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), 286.54 tons -Sulfur Oxide (SOx), 146.34 tons - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and 553.69 tons (Particulate Matter). On the other hand, computed mobile source emissions are as follows: 51,690.76 tons-CO; 7,947.98 tons-NOx; 2,331.13 tons -Sox; 20,794.81 tons -VOC and 2,807.27 tons-PM. E. Waste and Toxic Chemicals Solid waste generation in the region from cement factories and sugar mills increased from .805 tons of wastes in 1997 to 6.23 tons in 2001 and 732.0917 tons in 2005. The increase is due to collected wastes from the following additional industries: photo finishing, hospitals with laboratories, schools with laboratory, pulp and paper, mining/ore manufacturing, cement manufacturing, sugar mill and foam. In 2006, there were 176 industries in the region using chemicals. Solid wastes collected per day in all the 6 provinces, including the three cities reached 1,809.67 cu.m. The disposal system used includes open dumpsite, controlled dumpsite and composting. Open dumping method of solid waste disposal practiced by some LGUs had resulted into adverse environmental impact. F. Water Quality The quality of the rivers in Bicol is influenced by the different natural and man-made resources. These sources are based on activities undertaken by the users. The major causes of the river's degradation are domestic waste, agricultural waste, domestic livestock waste, siltation and industrial wastewater. According to the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR, 45 percent of the region's rivers still satisfy the criteria for Class A waters which indicate that these water bodies can still be tapped for public water supply. Twenty nine percent belong to Class C, 20 percent as Class B and six percent as Class D. Priority Policies and Programs Consistent with the sustainable development framework, a number of protection land use policies were implemented. Delineation of classified forestlands was

completed in Catanduanes. Reforestation was also done although most were carried out in lower elevation areas. Based on reports on annual grazing submitted by the leaseholders, total area planted with forest trees was 285.35 hectares. Under the Integrated Social Forestry Program, some 23,117 hectares were developed for agro-forestry Out of the 17 proclaimed watershed areas in Bicol, 9 had approved management plans where boundaries were defined. Pursuant to the NIPAS Act, these areas were placed under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Wildlife and Coastal Management Zone Service. The NIPAS Act has provided for the identification of protected areas, standardization of the planning process, and recognition of ancestral rights and institutionalization of environmental impact assessment. Watershed rehabilitation projects were also implemented specifically seedling production, vegetative and structural measures. From 1990-1998, a total of 3,270,890 sq.m. of vegetative measures were established in the 7 identified proclaimed watershed forest reserves. A total of 15, 680 cu.m. of structural measures had also been constructed in the same areas. Such facilities include check dams and small water impounding systems that contributed in arresting siltation and controlling run-off to the downstream areas of the watersheds. For the coastal/marine system, the Fisheries Sector Program has been implemented. The Program aimed to assess available resources from the coastal and marine waters to determine potential and recommend management options to safeguard and protect the ecological balance in these waters. To improve quality of the environment, the Clean Air Act is being supported in the region. Air quality monitoring is regularly undertaken in three stations. Enforcement activities include the creation of anti-belching units for vehicle emission testing, and inspection of 311 firms to determine emission levels DENR Administrative Order 98-49 and 98-50 was passed to curb practices of open dumping method of solid waste disposal in some LGUs. The directive advocated for the adoption of the sanitary landfill method and required LGUs to upgrade their existing open dumpsites. The region will need 145 hectares by year 2010 and 162 hectares by 2030. Challenges and Priorities for Action

Protecting, conserving and restoring the region’s environment require the implementation of critical strategies. Environmental laws and policies are already in place. What is needed is a strong and active monitoring of the provisions of

the law including the implementing rules and regulations. Strict implementation of the provisions of the environmental laws should be implemented in cooperation and collaboration with the local government units. These should be carried out through intensive information, education and communication activities.

Strengthen the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Environmental tools and processes were already in place and integrated in the decision process. The consequence of the impact of the project to the environment is evaluated thru the EIA. However, the present practice of project-to-project and ad hoc environmental impact assessment is inadequate in assessing the long-term consequences of environmental degradation. Steps should be taken to strengthen the present EIA system particularly the public review mechanism in evaluating environmental impacts of the project. Mechanism should be set up to broaden the involvement of public in the planning process. Land Use Planning/Zoning. Implement land use/zoning to determine the optimum land use allocation based on the environmental quality and ensure that environmental considerations are integrated in the decision making of the local government. Zoning and delineation of forest areas must be vigorously pursued to effectively delineate the protection forest from the production forestlands. Strengthening LGUs and citizens’ participation. Formation of community organization, non-government organization, and civic organization should be encouraged to assist the government in monitoring and promoting environmental protection and conservation. Enhance the monitoring capability of the environmental agencies, and strengthen the role of the LGUs in the implementation of policies and the structures in environmental protection. Imposition of Environmental Fees. Implement the polluters pay principles, environmental resources that have been degraded should be priced based on the polluters pay principles. The one who caused the damage to the resources should pay based on the cost of replenishing and increasing their supply and providing appropriate substitutes. Conservation of Biodiversity. Preservation and conservation of wild life for scientific, educational, cultural and historical values should be emphasized. The existing national parks and protected areas should be continuously conserved and protected. Massive reforestation of denuded forestlands, denuded watersheds, rainforest, mangrove replanting, sea grass transplanting should be vigorously undertaken.

To meet the demand for raw materials of wood and non-wood industries plantation of industrial trees and minor forest species in private lands should be encouraged. This will alleviate pressures on protected forestland and watershed areas. The need of the people for forest materials without the sustainable supply leads to the illegal activities and illegal cutting of trees in protected areas. The rehabilitation of rivers and waterways should be pursued to reduce pollution and flooding in the community. Implementation of vegetative and structural measures along river banks to reduce soil erosion and flooding in the settlement areas is critical. Provision of Alternative livelihood. To lessen the pressure in forest and watershed areas, alternative sources of livelihood should be implemented to support families who serve as forest protectors. Pollution Control. To reduce wastes, implementation of waste management system by the LGUs should be encouraged and a system of reward for the LGUs will be pursued. Solid waste management program should be supported by the local government. Continued monitoring of the quality of air and water should be conducted to maintain its standard quality. Advocacy and IEC. Conduct massive information, education and communication advocacy involving multi sectoral institutions, i.e., government, business, and civil society. Develop thru massive information drive sustained awareness on environmental values of natural resources. Target 11: Halve the proportion of people with no access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation Status and Trends According to DOH, the proportion of families with no access to safe drinking water has decreased from 29.16 percent in 1991 to 17.3 percent in 2004. On basic sanitation, households with no access to sanitary toilets also decreased from 41.67 percent in 1991 to 32.15 percent in 2004. Given the rate of increase from 1991-2004, there is a high probability for the region to reach its target of 14.58 percent for no access of households to drinking water and 20.84 percent for no access to sanitary toilets by 2015.

In terms of access to safe drinking water, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon, however, have low probabilities of reaching the target, while Iriga City has a medium probability of reaching its target by 2015. For sanitation, Albay, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes have low probabilities of reaching their targets.

Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability Target: Half the proportion of people with no access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, or those who cannot afford it, by 2015

Indicator: Proportion of people with no access to safe drinking water


Current (2004)

Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 2.2 10.8 1.10 1.33 high Camarines Norte 28.72 28.6 14.36 140.24 low Camarines Sur 56.27 18.1 28.14 0.31 high Catanduanes 12.45 0.1 6.23 0.59 high Masbate 51.69 38.5 25.85 1.13 high Sorsogon 8.08 10.9 4.04 2.87 low

City Iriga 2.94 6.6 1.47 1.66 medium Legazpi 4.4 1.7 2.20 0.22 high Naga 9.57 0 4.79 0.59 high Region 5 29.16 17.3 14.58 0.27 high

Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability

Target: Half the proportion of people with no access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation, or those who cannot afford it, by 2015

Indicator: Proportion of people with no access to sanitary toilets

Province Baseline (1991)

Current (2004)

Target (2015)



Target

Province Albay 34.42 30.15 17.21 3.58 Low Camarines Norte 38.51 32.49 19.26 2.60 Low Camarines Sur 36.47 26.07 18.24 0.89 High Catanduanes 30.44 31.27 15.22 22.85 Low Masbate 71.39 54.02 35.70 1.25 High Sorsogon 43.52 33.14 21.76 1.30 High

City Iriga 32.93 19.9 16.47 0.31 High Legazpi 45.51 35.57 22.76 1.52 Medium Naga 6.96 0 3.48 0.59 High Region 5 41.67 32.15 20.84 1.40 High

Priority Policies and Programs Over the years, the government has implemented programs and projects to ensure safe water and basic sanitation. A priority program is the water supply, sewerage and sanitation project where water supply facilities are constructed. As a support service, laboratory facilities for conducting water analysis were put up to examine the quality of water coming from various sources. Water refilling stations are also continuously being monitored to ensure safety of water. Challenges and Priorities for Action There has been an increase in the proportion of the region’s population that has access to safe drinking water and sanitary toilet facilities. However, there still remains the need to provide more and better water and sanitary toilet facilities to waterless areas. Concerned agencies such as the DOH, DENR, DOST and the local government shall explore, identify and develop safe water sources. Considering the significant improvement in water supply coverage, there is a need to maintain safe quality of drinking water to avoid outbreaks of water-borne diseases. Water quality assurance monitoring shall be undertaken to ensure safety of water. Measures to monitor and ensure the high quality of WATSAN facilities are equally important as the establishment of new WATSAN systems. Improvements in environmental sanitation shall also be given preference. For implementation are low-cost sanitation programs as well as hygiene promotion. Campaigns / orientations emphasizing food hygiene, garbage disposal and national water drinking standards shall be undertaken. Water quality management system shall be promoted particularly among LGUs. To ensure sustainability of potable water supply and sanitation services, it is important to get the involvement of the community particularly the involvement of women and other marginalized groups. LGU can conduct community organizing to strengthen community participation in the water and sanitation projects.

Target 12: Achieve a significant improvement in the lives of informal settlers in the region by 2020 Status and Trends In 2001-2004, the total housing need in the region was estimated at 185,846 units which translates to an annual housing need of 46,666 units. Against this total demand, about 10 percent were provided with housing assistance. For the period 2005-2010, the estimated housing need of the region is 278,796 units comprised of housing backlog of 43,884 units and future need of 232,912. Of this number, a total of 23,29 units of housing assistance or eight percent of the total demand was extended by the different core shelter agencies in the region. Included among those who need housing are the informal settlers who live in dwelling units which are substandard or are not durable for at least five years. In 2002, the estimated number of informal settler families or squatter households is eight percent of the country's total. Priority Policies and Programs In pursuit of the goal of providing shelter, the government and the private sector provided assistance through socialized housing, resettlement, community mortgage program and direct and indirect housing provision. The DSWD has provided core shelter assistance to marginalized families in communities and the Gawad Kalinga Project and Habitat for humanity initiated construction of housing units for needy families. Families who are victims of disasters also received assistance from the Emergency Housing Assistance Program. In connection with the commitment of the President to provide security of tenure to urban poor and informal settlers, surveys of lots were undertaken in areas covered by Proclamation No. 40 involving the unutilized properties of the Philippine National Railways in the province of Albay and the cities of Legazpi and Tabaco. Implementation of other presidential proclamations includingvcertain areas as socialized housing sites are also underway. Challenges and Priorities for Action Making housing loans more available and affordable. The housing sector is on track to achieve its target by the end of 2010 but the housing output is modest compared to the housing demand. This means that the housing backlog have increased the past three years and will add up to the housing need for the next

four years. The result will be a widening gap between demand and supply of decent housing specifically for the low to middle-income households. To address this gap, the sector should continue to provide more opportunities for Bicolanos to own affordable and decent housing. It should make loans more available and affordable for both the formal and informal sectors. Pag-ibig and GSIS should implement lower interest rates for housing loans and liberal restructuring program to enhance collection and create more funds available for housing loans Regularize tenure of informal settlers. The government should provide priority assistance to those who are in danger areas, in right-of-way of government infrastructure projects and in idle government lands. The government should complete the regularization of tenure of informal settlers covered under presidential proclamation nos. 40, 593 and 653 and Executive Order No. 90 in Albay and Legazpi City, Pili, Camarines Sur and Bulan, Sorsogon, provided these areas are located in safe and secure zones. Resettle families displaced by typhoons and other calamities. Efforts shall be focused in the immediate term to help families affected by the typhoons rebuild their homes and communities. Existing resettlement areas shall be expanded and new ones shall be established. The government shall ensure that adequate services and facilities are available in these communities. The private sector, including the international community, shall participate in the rehabilitation efforts. Advocate for the creation of Housing Boards and preparation/updating of CLUPs. The local government units (LGUs) have not taken full responsibility over housing and urban development as mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991 and the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. The housing sector should advocate that the LGUs assume full responsibility. Priority areas of concern are the creation of local housing boards and preparation of comprehensive land use plans. The local housing boards shall, among others, formulate, develop, implement and monitor policies on the provision of housing, resettlement areas and shall uphold the right of the underprivileged and homeless to a just and human resettlement process.

SUMMARY On the whole, how does Bicol region and the 9 localities under consideration fare with regard to the MDGs? The following color-coded table shows their comparative performances in a visual way. GOAL Indicators Bicol

Region Albay Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur Catanduanes Masbate Sorso

gon Iriga Legazpi Naga

1 Poverty incidence M H L L H L M Subsistence Incidence H H L M H M H Underweight (IRS) H H H H H H H H H H 2 Participation -elementary L L L L L H L M M L Cohort survival - elementary M L H L H H H L L L

3 Gender parity-elementary participation H H H H H H H H H H

4 Under-five mortality H H H H H H H H H L Infant mortality H H H H H H H H H L

Proportion of fully-immunized children M H L M L H H H H H

5 Maternal mortality rate L L L L M L L L M L

Contraceptive prevalence rate L

Condom use rate L 6 Deaths due to TB L H L L H L H L L H Malaria positive cases H

7 Households with access to sanitary toilets H L L H L H H H M H

Households with access to safe drinking water H H L H H H L M H H

Legend: L low probability M medium probability H high probability no data

Bicol’s progress relative to the MDGs is mixed. There are goals with high chance of attainment by 2015 (e.g. goals 3, 4 and 7) while others had lower chances (goals 2 and 5). The absence of data for Goal 8 (“Develop a Global Partnership for Development”) precluded progress assessment at the regional and local levels. Its performance by goal is summarized as follows: Goal 1. High probability of reducing poverty by half in 2015, in terms of

proportion of population below subsistence (food) threshold; Medium probability of reducing poverty by half in 2015, in terms of proportion of population below poverty (income) threshold.

Goal 2. Low probability in achieving 100 participation rate by 2015 in elementary education. For cohort survival, the probability in attaining 100 rate by 2015 is medium.

Goal 3. High probability in attaining gender parity towards girls.

Goal 4. High probability of reducing child and infant mortality by two-thirds but declining immunization coverage might put it at risk.

Goal 5. Low probability in reducing maternal mortality by three-fourths.

Goal 6. Low probability in halting and reversing the prevalence and deaths due to TB but high probability in halting prevalence of malaria.

Goal 7. High probability in halving the proportion of people with no access to safe water and sanitation services.

Advocating and Localizing the MDGs The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), tasked to oversee the localization of the MDGs, developed a framework on MDG localization identifying a set of desired outcomes for an MDG responsive LGU. Policy guidelines were issued to set the localization efforts in motion, particularly Memorandum Circular No. 2004-152: “Guide to Local Government Units in the Localization of the Millennium Development Goals” issued on November 10, 2004. The Memorandum Circular provides a) a menu of programs, projects and activities (P/P/As) per MGD goal and target to guide the LGUs in responding to the MDGs; b) diagnosis of the local situation using local indicators and monitoring systems; and c) a call for the documentation and replication of best practices. Other policies were issued on the prioritization of budget and operationalization of MDG responsive P/P/As. To step up the localization efforts of the MDGs at the LGUs in the Bicol region, the Regional Development Council 5 issued Resolution No. 05-21, S 2004 approving the localization and mainstreaming of the MDGs in the region in its regular meeting in August 2004. Since then, efforts were undertaken to advocate and localize the MDGs in the region. The DILG, with NEDA 5 and POPCOM 5, conducted provincial orientations on the MDGs. DILG has provided technical assistance to the LGUs in the implementation of MC 2004-152 and monitored the compliance of LGUs in the localization in terms of AIP/ ADP submission. It has disseminated MC 2007-63,”Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System on Tracking LGU responses to MDGs” through trainings. It has pilot-tested the M&E forms to the six provinces. The NSCB has made available in their website an “MDG Watch” page to present the status of the MDGs. Challenges and Priorities for Action

• To widely disseminate MDGs, advocacy materials must be prepared to inform decisions of the various stakeholders on how best they can support the attainment of the MDGs. Brochures, fliers and other information collaterals shall be disseminated. Good practices of the LGUs should be documented and disseminated as well. The “MDG Watch” page at NSCB website should be regularly updated.

• Conduct fora /conferences after every release of the yearly progress report to inform and solicit inputs from stakeholders to continuously improve actions in attaining the targets.

Financing the MDGs The regional share comprised 2.64 percent of the total government expenditures in 2003, reducing at 2.41 percent in 2004. Expenditures for social services were approximated to make up for 3.28 percent and 3.04 percent, respectively of the total expenditures. The national ODA commitments for the said period included projects that would address the farmers' security of tenure with the Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project, Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project II, the Agrarian Reform Communities Projects, the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), the Secondary Education Development and Improvement Project (SEDIP) and Technical Education and Skills Development Project. Other than the General Appropriations Act and Official Development Assistance, various schemes are adopted to source out funds to finance the programs and projects. These include the Internal Revenue Allotment to include the 20 percent development funds of Local Government Units and the Project Development Assistance Fund. (PDAF). Challenges and Priorities for Action To be able to source out funds, it is necessary to have good investment programming and come up with feasible and implementable projects. Projects must be prioritized given the limited resources of the government. With emphasis on service delivery, commercial orientation shall generate financing opportunities for social services. Financial requirements for the delivery of social services in order to support the MDG include (1) institution of fiscal reforms related to raising tax collection, improvement of efficiency of government operations and encouraging LGUs to increase their expenditures for basic social services; (2) LGU, private sector and civil society support; and (3) expansion of micro-finance services to the poor; and linkaging with donor institutions for funding of social projects with focus on marginalized or disadvantaged sectors.

MONITORING THE MDGs To further support the MDGs and institutionalize the monitoring process, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) issued Resolution No. 10 Series of 2004 approving the MDG indicators and designating the NSCB as the repository of MDG indicators in the country. The NSCB has been compiling data to generate the indicators and conducted several fora, in coordination with various stakeholders to disseminate and advocate for its use. The same resolution laid down the mechanisms for the continuous improvement of the indicators to include the localization of the MDGs. A parallel action was made by the Regional Statistical Coordination Committee (RSCC), the counterpart of the NSCB Executive Board at the regional level when it issued Resolution No. 02-2006 Designating NSCB Regional Division V as the repository of MDG indicators at the regional level. Monitoring the Localized Millennium Development Goals To track the LGU responses to the implementation of MDG localization and determine LGU contribution to the attainment of the MDGs, DILG issued on June 20, 2007 Memorandum Circular No. 2007-063: “Monitoring and Evaluation System on Tracking LGU Responses to Millennium Development Goals. The Circular prescribes tracking instruments to capture LGU initiatives and progress on MDG localization outlined in the MDG Localization Framework. The specific areas for tracking LGU responses include: a) Integration of MDG targets into local plans/investment programs; b) Increase in budget allocation for MDG responsive P/P/As; c) Institutionalization of structures and mechanisms to support MDG localization; d) establishment of poverty benchmarking/ monitoring tool for MDG progress. Reports on MDG outcomes and on the institutionalization of structures and mechanism will be done every three years while reports on budget allocation/prioritization will be made annually. The RSCC, on its part, approved a proposed monitoring system for the localized MDGs by virtue of Resolution No. 02-2007 passed in April 2007. The proposed monitoring system seeks to harmonize the generation of outcome and output indicators of the localized MDGs utilizing the established structures and mechanisms at different geographic levels. Each geographic level has its own set of activities and outputs with activities at the lower level supporting activities at the next upper level. The system likewise provides a built-in validation system that would address data problems at each geographic level. Activities at each level have specific time frames.

Outcome Monitoring Frontline offices directly involved in monitoring specific targets under the MDGs shall continue to generate data using existing systems and reporting flows. Thus, the Municipal Health Office (MHO) shall continue to generate barangay based vital and health statistics following the Field Health Service Information System established by the Department of Health (DOH). Following the usual reporting flow, the municipal frontline office submits the reports to the provincial frontline office that consolidates reports from different municipalities for eventual submission to the regional office. The monitoring system requires the submission of reports to the Planning Offices at respective levels to consolidate required datasets for generation of MDG indicators at each level. Thus, the MHO submits monitoring reports to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and to the Municipal Planning Office. At the provincial level, the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) receives reports from provincial frontline offices (e.g. PHO) and consolidated MDG reports from every MPDO. The PPDO has the opportunity to cross validate the two sets of reports and conduct field validation should data conflicts arise. At the regional level, regional field offices of national government agencies receive reports from counterpart offices at the provincial level. Regional Offices of NGAs, however, conduct special activities apart from regular programs implemented at the lower level that may impinge on the MDGs. The system requires the RLAs to submit MDG monitoring reports to the NSCB, having been designated by the RSCC as the repository of MDG indicators in the region. Similarly, the PPDOs are required to submit consolidated MDG monitoring reports directly to NSCB who shall validate said reports with those submitted by Regional Line Agencies. The NSCB may conduct field validations should data conflict arise. Use of Standard Concepts and Definitions

The monitoring system advocates for the use of standard concepts and definitions in the generation of MDG indicators to allow comparison across LGUs. The definitions and formulas contained in the UN publication entitled “Indicators for Monitoring the Millennium Development Goals” shall be adopted. For local indicators that are not included in the document, the official definition being adopted in the Philippine Statistical System shall be used. Output Monitoring The monitoring of outputs shall utilize the hierarchy of Development Councils and Project Monitoring Committees now in place. It shall also utilize other structures and mechanism established by the LGUs pursuant to DILG MC 2004-152. MDG

responsive P/P/As being implemented by LGUs should be closely monitored by the Project Monitoring Committees at all levels the monitoring outcomes of which should be a regular agenda of the different Development Councils for decision and policy making. Establishment, Maintenance and Updating of MDG databases The establishment of MDG databases at different geographic levels is included in the proposed monitoring system. The databases shall use the DevInfo system, a free software especially developed for monitoring the MDGs. NEDA has trained several LGUs and line agency personnel in the establishment of the database using the software. At the local level, the databases shall be lodged with the Local Planning and Development Offices who would be tasked with their maintenance and regular updating. At the regional level, the database shall be lodged with the NSCB. Additionally, the NSCB shall make available in their website an MDG interactive database that can be readily accessed by the various stakeholders. Analysis of Impacts of Outputs on Outcomes A good monitoring and evaluation system should be able to generate positive actions towards the achievement of goals for which it has been established. It is necessary to keep track not only of the progress of the MDG indicators but also of the underlying reasons/causes for such progress. The monitoring of the outcomes and outputs should be done interdependently to identify interventions needed in laggard areas and highlight good practices for replication in other areas. The impacts of outputs on outcomes shall be highlighted in future MDG Progress Reports. Advocacy The result of the monitoring and evaluation system will be the main input to the regular Regional MDG Progress Report. Apart form this main output, it is desirable to produce and widely disseminate advocacy materials to inform decisions of the various stakeholders on how best they can support the attainment of the MDGs. Brochures, fliers and other information collaterals shall be disseminated. The NSCB Regional Division shall maintain an “MDG Watch” page in their website to present the status of the MDGs.

Challenges and Priorities for Action Information gap on the MDGs is a major concern observed during the preparation of this report. The exercise yielded the following interesting observations, mostly about data: 1. Data inconsistencies There were instances where datasets on the same subject varied. These occurred at two levels: (a) regional where two agencies provide contrasting information; and (b) when local data are collected and then organized at higher levels. An example of the former is the markedly different datasets on child, infant and maternal mortality as provided by the Department of Health and the National Statistics Office/National Statistical Coordination Board. An example of the latter is Naga’s participation rate provided by the Division of City Schools is very different from the data contained in from the DepEd regional office. 2. Data gaps These took two forms in the study: (a) total absence of the required indicator, as in the case of Goal 8; and (b) missing data for certain years, as in the case of the education, health, and diseases indicators. 3. Data quality At the same time, there is a need to revisit the quality of data that are being collected from the field. For instance, adjusting for the observation in Item No. 1 above, Naga will have seven years of participation rates exceeding 100%, which, on the surface and going by Goal 2, is fine and consistent. But on closer look, it had three years of participation rates between 109-120%, which raises some questions: Can it be possible that these enrolment data include school children from neighboring towns, thus needlessly inflating access to education artificially? How about enrolment from private schools? Are these reflected, as should be the case, less non-city residents? Like the Naga City School Board, which has started asking these question during its recent meetings, city governments – which are more likely to experience this phenomenon – need to consider similar factors that affect data quality, which can yield bad data that mask problematic situations on the ground.

4. Data implication The MDG indicators are substantially devalued when collected merely for the sake of monitoring, without venturing deeper into their impact on policy. For instance, the child, infant and maternal mortality data will not be useful to a local end-user if he does realize its implied value – as a measure of the health care system in a locality. 5. Good local practices abound Of course, Naga is a quintessential example, but there are actually many other good practices out there. The DILG report on the MDGs, for instance, included less-known barangay initiatives from Bicol that also produced positive outcomes. They include:

• Creating livelihood opportunities through cooperativism, Barangay Sagrada, Iriga City

• From swamps to human settlements, Barangay 57 (Dap-Dap), Legazpi City

• Inter-barangay cooperation for secondary education, Seven barangays in Matnog, Sorsogon;

• Enhancing literacy in the community through Read Aloud Sessions, Barangay Monbon, Irosin, Sorsogon; and

• Feeding the children, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Baao, Camarines Sur. Conclusions Moreover, the following inferences can be made, especially in regard to the current state of MDG tracking at the local level: 1. Data availability and harmonization If good policy were to be expected from assessing progress towards the MDGs, they need to be based on quality data. This requires addressing the gaps and inconsistencies observed above. One particular requirement is the provision for continuing feedback, especially from the lower levels where information emanate, as data are processed and organized upwards. This would reconcile, for instance, the conflicting DepEd regional and Naga city data on participation rates.

Another is finding ways of generating the missing key indicators, preferably through the regional offices of the DILG and the National Telecommunications Commission (NCC). These include such as the data on women holding seats in the provincial and city sanggunians (as a proxy for women empowerment) for the former; and the telecoms-specific information on telephone and cellular line subscriptions, and PC and Internet users (also known as measures of IT propensity) to indicate access to new technologies for the latter. 2. More relevant local MDG tracking The whole exercise involves indicators, and two principles come into play in this respect: (i) one cannot improve what he does not measure; and (ii) one cannot measure what he does not understand. These principles underscore the need to consciously link the MDG indicators with continuous improvement in each of the Millennium Goals – anchored on a deeper local understanding of the various dimensions of poverty, and more importantly, how local plans, programs and activities can address these poverty dimensions to bring about sustained, incremental improvements. A more relevant MDG tracking system has the following salient features:

(a) Outcomes over outputs If measuring the MDGs’ progress were to make a difference, there is a need to focus data collection and analysis on the locally available key indicators, which all speak about outcomes that matter to the poor. All other information will be secondary. These will include the KALAHI-CIDSS reports, impressive or well-written they may be; or the DILG reporting and monitoring system for LGUs based on a handbook produced by the department. (b) Assessment over monitoring As a corollary to Item No. 2, for the tracking system to make a difference, analysis should not end on the data per se (which is what monitoring usually ends up with) but their implication on the bigger picture: Are we on track towards the MDGs? If not, what factors are hindering progress? What should be done about the current situation? And how can my agency contribute towards continuous improvement relative to the MDGs?

(c) MDG-driven local action The answer to the last two questions in Item No. 2(b) completes the loop by linking MDG data to action, in the process giving meaning to the whole exercise.

3. A more consistent rating scheme Finally, a more relevant MDG tracking system also recognizes the need to review and improve even its own criteria for assessing progress. The criteria used in the Second Philippine Progress Report, for instance, which was applied in Chapter 5, needs to be revisited for its internal logic and consistency, especially in defining the high probability rating. A ratio of 1.0 or below clearly means that a locality is on-track towards an MDG target; consequently, midway through the period, it follows that said locality has a high probability of attaining its target by 2015 by at least maintaining its current efforts. On the other hand, a ratio between 1.0 up to 2.0 means that a locality, if it doubles it current efforts, will hit its MDG target; hence, a medium probability will be in order. In this respect, the current range upping the higher limit of the high probability rating to 1.5 is inconsistent with internal logic and somewhat lowers the bar. Moreover, it results to a too narrow band for the medium probability rating (only 0.5, compared to 1.5 for high probability) Consequently, a ratio of greater than 2.0 becomes logically consistent with a low probability: even doubling current efforts will not be enough to attain the locality’s MDG targets. 4. Promoting social accountability If a local MDG tracking system is already in place, the next logical step is to communicate its results to stakeholders in a regular manner. For instance, it can be integrated into the mayor or governor’s annual report to his constituents, either in a meeting of the sanggunian or the local development council. Social accountability mechanisms like these can generate feedback, build up stakeholdership, and mobilize community support for local MDG-related initiatives.

Recommendations In view of the above observations and conclusions, the following steps are recommended to address the information gap in regard to the MDGs and intensify their localization: 1. More localized MDG tracking down to the city/municipal level Ideally, MDG progress assessment to this exercise should be pursued and institutionalized at (a) the regional level, for provinces and cities; (b) provincial level, for municipalities; and (c) at the city/municipal level, for the barangays. A multisectoral MDG task force shall be in charge of preparing the periodic progress reports. 2. More effective alignment between national and local agencies Individually, national line agencies (through their regional and sub-regional field units), the local government units and their civil society partners have been pursuing MDG-related activities as part of their mandate. The status quo, in effect, is the one responsible for most of the MDG outcomes described in Chapters 4 and 5. But there is obviously a better way: for them to align their activities to achieve greater synergy and efficiency thereby improving outcomes. 3. Documentation of less-known good practices These should focus on local initiatives that address any or a combination of the eight MDGs and, more importantly, yield concrete outcomes. Academic institutions in the region can be of help, especially in identifying success factors behind effective institutional performance, especially in the light of inter-LGU work that characterizes a province-wide MDG effort. 4. Dissemination of local MDG tracking results Aside from participative events where local MDG results can be communicated regularly – like the annual mayor or governor’s report – reader-friendly brochures, flyers and other MDG promo collaterals should be produced and disseminated among key stakeholders and constituents. Digital equivalents should complement these, stored in regionally-maintained webpages collating provincial, city and municipal reports – which can be an adjunct to the existing NSCB MDG Watch webpage.

ACCRONYMS ALS - Alternative Learning System ARC - Agrarian Reform Community ASIN - Act Promoting Salt Iodization Nationwide CADT - Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title CARP - Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program CBMS - Community Based Monitoring System CFSS - Child Friendly School System CMP - Community Mortgage Program CMR - Child Mortality Rate CPR - Child Participation Rate CSO - Civil Society Organization CSR - Cohort Survival Rate DCC - Day Care Center DepEd - Department of Education DILG - Department of Interior and Local Government DOH - Department of Health DOTS - Directly Observed Treatment Short Course DSWD - Department of Social Welfare and Development ECCD - Early Childhood Care and Development EFA - Education for All EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment FIC - Fully Immunized Children FLEMMS - Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey FNRI - Food and Nutrition Research Institute GAD - Gender and Development GDP - Gross Domestic Product GO - Government Organization GPI - Gender Parity Index GRDP - Gross Regional Domestic Product HIV/AIDS - Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune

Deficiency Syndrome IDA - Iodine Deficiency Anemia IMR - Infant Mortality Rate IRS - International Reference Standard LCE - Local Chief Executive LCP - League of Cities of the Philippines LGU - Local Government Unit LPRAO - Local Poverty Reduction Action Officer LPRAP - Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan LPRAT - Local Poverty Reduction Action Team MCD - Malaria Control Program MOP - Manual of Procedure

MMR - Maternal Mortality Rate MTRDP - Medium Term Regional Development Plan NDHS - National Demographic and Household Survey NEDA - National Economic and Development Authority NGA - National Government Agency NGO - Non-Government Organization NIPAS - National Integrated Protected Areas System NSCB - National Statistical Coordination Board NSO - National Statistics Office NTP - National Tuberculosis Program POPCOM - Population Commission PR - Participation Rate PRS - Philippine Reference Standard RAFC - Regional Agricultural Fisheries Council RDC - Regional Development Council RKCG - Regional KALAHI Convergence Group SEA-K - Self-Employment Assistance - Kaunlaran TB - Tuberculosis UDHA - Urban Development and Housing Act UFMR - Under Five Mortality Rate UN - United Nations UNDP - United Nations Development Programme UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund VADD - Vitamin A Deficiency Disorder WHO - World Health Organization

REFERENCES Department of Health Regional Field Office No. 5, “MDG Regional Report

(Draft),” Legazpi City. Millennium Project, “Investing in Development – A Practical Plan to Achieve to

Millennium Development Goals,” New York, USA. http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/reports/index_overview.htm

National Economic Development Authority, “Second Philippine Progress Report

on the Millennium Development Goals,” Pasig City, 2005. National Statistical Coordination Board, “Estimation of Local Poverty in the

Philippines,” Makati City. http://www.nscb.gov.ph/poverty/sae/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines.pdf

National Statistical Coordination Board, “Technical Notes on the 2003 Poverty

Estimates,” Makati City. http://www.nscb.gov.ph/technotes/poverty_tech2003.asp

National Statistical Coordination Board, “The Millennium Development Goals,”

Makati City. http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/mdg/assessment.asp Prilles, Wilfredo, Jr., “Poverty, governance and the Bikol LGUs,” Weblog series.

October 2006. http://nagueno.blogspot.com

Prilles, Wilfredo, Jr., “Updating Naga land use and development plans,” Powerpoint presentation. Naga City, 2006. Robredo, Jesse, “Governance and social accountability mechanisms – The case of

Naga City, Philippines,” World Bank Social Accountability Forum. Singapore, September 2006.

Robredo, Jesse, “The Naga City Roadmap to 2015: Why We Are Here and Where

We Are Headed,” Powerpoint presentation. Naga City, 2006. Sachs, Jeffrey, “The End of Poverty,” Time Magazine, March 14, 2005.

http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/documents/TimeMagazineMar142005-TheEndofPovertysmall1.pdf

United Nations Children Fund, “The Millennium Development Goals,” New York,

USA. http://www.unicef.org/mdg/

http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/reports/index_overview.htm

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/poverty/sae/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines.pdf

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/technotes/poverty_tech2003.asp

http://www.nscb.gov.ph/stats/mdg/assessment.asp

http://nagueno.blogspot.com/



http://www.unicef.org/mdg/

Annex A A Good Practice: Naga’s Participatory Planning and Budgeting Initiatives Beginning in June 2006, the city government, through its local planning office, has begun updating Naga’s development and land use plans, providing it an opportunity to further institutionalize participative approaches in local planning and budgeting under the Public Governance System (PGS). In so doing, the following innovations were adopted:

1. Using the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the PGS outputs as planning targets. By adopting the MDG and the PGS vision-mission statement and scorecards, the city will no longer need to reinvent the wheel and go through a time-consuming visioning process. This also means that it will be updating the local land use and development plans with a 9-year time horizon. The planning process will therefore focus on revisiting these outputs, refining the targets set, and aligning the city plans towards attaining these 9-year targets.

2. Working with existing and mandated local councils and special bodies as

basic planning unit. This involves tapping the 16 existing and mandated councils under the umbrella of the City Development Council (all of which have strong civil society representation) in coming up with sectoral components of both the land use and development plans. For instance, in regard to the social sector, the city had to work with the children, women, youth and senior citizen councils; the Health Board and the NCUPF, in establishing the baseline data, assessing needs; crafting programs, projects and activities (PPAs) that will respond to these needs in the context of the MDG and PGS targets; costing out these PPAs, and laying out a 9-year action plan for implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

This approach has the following advantages:

Higher data quality as stakeholders have the opportunity to validate and reconcile both official (i.e. those generated by the city planning staff) and non-official data

Shared ownership and responsibility over the output plans, and

A more strategic and

meaningful role for local councils and special bodies in the city government’s institutional planning processes.

3. Multiple levels of

consultation. With all sectoral planning sessions completed, the stage is now set for two additional levels of consultation: at the sectoral level, where consolidated outputs will be presented, discussed and revised (thus, the six councils mentioned above will have the opportunity to critique the draft plan for the Social Sector); and at the city level, where the revised drafts will again be presented to all sectors comprising the City Development Council.

4. Participative budgeting at the departmental level. Even as the plan is

being crafted, the planning process which heavily involves the Naga City Peoples Council (NCPC) and its member NGOs has positively informed local budgeting processes and practices of the city government. Their presence and participation in the crafting of departmental budgets is yet another guarantee that budgetary allocations will be aligned with the city vision and mission statements and scorecards that incorporate the MDGs.

Annex B PROGRESS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY Approach The criteria and reporting approach in the Second Philippine Progress Report on the Millennium Development Goals prepared by the national government was used to assess the probability of attaining the MDG targets. The formula provides the following:

“The criterion used in determining whether the target will be met is the ratio between the annual rate of change needed to reach the target and the current annual rate of progress.“ Ratio = required rate of progress divided by

the actual rate of progress.

*Note: Ratio is in absolute value. The rate of progress correspond to ranges of the ratio given below:

If Ratio is < 1.5, then the probability of attaining the target is - High.

If the Ration is between 1.5 to 2.0, then the probability of attaining the target is - Medium.

If the Ratio is > 2.0, then probability of attaining the target is – Low”

For example: If the computed ratio is 0.6, then the progress is classified as High.

If the computed ratio is 1.8, then the progress is classified as Medium. If the computed ratio is 3.6, then the progress is classified as Low.

The ratio, which is composed of a numerator and a denominator, is computed as follows: Ratio is equal to numerator divided by the denominator, where: Numerator (required rate of progress) = (target – current data) divided by

(year corresponding to target – current year)

Denominator (actual rate of progress) = (current data – baseline data) divided by (current year – baseline year) Example: Indicator: Maternal Mortality Rate for the region: Given the following data:

Year Data Baseline 1990 1.26 Current 2003 1.59 Target 2015 0.32 Numerator (required rate of progress) = (0.32 – 1.59)/ (2015-2003) = -1.27/12 = -0.10583333 Denominator (actual rate of progress) = (1.59 – 1.26)/ (2003-1990) = 0.33/13 = 0.0253846 Ratio = Numerator/Denominator = -0.10583333 / 0.0253846 = -4.16 or in absolute value = 4.16 The ratio is 4.16, thus based on the criteria; the probability of attaining the target MMR of 0.32 in 2015 is classified as LOW.

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