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62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development General Discussion

Tuesday, 06 February 2024
Presenter: 
HON. ADONIS P. SULIT, Undersecretary for Policy and Plans, Department of Social Welfare & Development Republic of the Philippines
Location: 
UN Headquarters

 

Madame Chair,

The Philippines conveys its sincere appreciation to you and the bureau for your commendable leadership in this crucial meeting. The Philippines values the commitment to core principles and strategies for social development, with the hope that our collective efforts will translate into tangible results both nationally and internationally.

Our efforts are also directed to the development aspirations of “Bagong Pilipinas”, a call for the nation’s transformation, the transformation of our idea of being a Filipino, and the transformation of our economy, of governance, of society aimed at serving the people.

As we embark on this transformative journey, it is imperative to recognize the urgent need to expedite progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In the Philippine context, eradicating poverty is particularly urgent. Despite recent strides, poverty still persists, straining our society and depriving some segment of the population of their basic rights and opportunities. To build a more just and equitable society, it is essential that we must not overlook the plight of the vulnerable. With the prevailing socio-economic disparities, we know that achieving the development objectives of our country demands targeted interventions and inclusive policies.

To hasten the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to achieve poverty eradication, the Philippines has recognized the influence of digital transformation on inclusive growth and development. Embracing technological advancements, the Philippines has implemented policies that leverage digital innovation to bridge socio-economic gaps. Initiatives such as digital literacy programs, e-government services, and fostering a conducive environment for digital entrepreneurship have been instrumental in ensuring that the benefits of the digital era are accessible to all.

The Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, emphasizes strengthening social protection programs as a safety net for the vulnerable groups. This entails having a robust targeting system, expanding cash transfer programs, both conditional and unconditional, and other social assistance to ensure no one is left behind. By providing a lifeline to those in need, we can mitigate the impact of economic shocks and secure human dignity and security for all.

The vision of social protection in the Philippines is for every Filipino to have a better and improved quality of life by building their capability to manage risks and reduce vulnerabilities. Guided by the recently approved Philippine Social Protection (SP) Plan, the country aims to have a transformative social protection system that helps manage risks and address structural vulnerabilities as well as social inequities.

To achieve the Plan, three (3) strategic focus areas have been outlined for 2023 to 2028. First is the full implementation of the social protection floor to ensure that a menu of SP programs across four guarantees are provided for all age groups. Second is the development of adaptive and shock responsive SP programs, which primarily looks into the expansion of beneficiary coverage and benefits to cover affected families and communities before and during the impact of covariate shocks. Third is the rationalization, modernization, and integration of SP system which delves into the necessary support mechanisms in order to firm up the SP system of the country and contribute to a simplified, integrated, and more efficient delivery of SP services.

We recently signed the Philippines - UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2024-2028, that brings to the fore the best practices that have enabled UN programs to achieve meaningful impact on the lives of Filipinos and also the reforms in the UN development system aimed at fostering national ownership, synergy and coordination of UN programs and projects in the country.

On a final note, Madame Chair, the Philippines acknowledges the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, recognizing the family as the basic unit of societies. We believe that a strong and supportive family structure is fundamental to achieving social justice and sustainable development. We have undertaken and shall continue efforts to reinforce family values, promote work-life balance, and provide social support systems that enhance the well-being of families across the nation.

We recognize that much work remains ahead to accelerate progress towards poverty eradication and sustainable development. The Philippines will continue our efforts at home and in cooperation with others for a better future for all.

Thank you.