NEDA commits to address gaps in data gathering

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has committed to address data gaps in monitoring the country’s progress in attaining targets under the Sustainable Development Agenda of the United Nations (UN).

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia acknowledged that while the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has come up with an initial list of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) progress indicators, there are still several indicators that need to be defined and collected.

“In terms of monitoring and reporting, the Philippine government is still in need of sufficient and good data to be able to comprehensively gauge the country’s progress,” he said.

Out of 232 indicators of progress in attaining the SDGs under the UN agenda, only 94 are already being developed and monitored by the PSA, 59 indicators are not regularly collected while 68 have yet to be developed and monitored; 11 indicators are not applicable to local context.

“The challenge, in fact, extends beyond these numbers as many of the indicators require further data disaggregation,” said Pernia.

NEDA, he said, has begun implementing measures to address data challenges among which are capacity-building activities to help government agencies in conducting methodological research. Oversight bodies are also being organized to ensure the collection of necessary data.

Through Resolution No. 4 Series of 2016, the PSA has also pledged to develop mechanisms to regularly provide timely and accurate statistics.

The SDG is a set of 17 aspirations spearheaded by the UN and agreed upon by various states to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and address the effects of climate change by 2030.

In brief, the goals are as follows: No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and adequate sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, promotion of industry and infrastructure, reduced income inequality among countries, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, providing action against climate change, protection of marine life, sustainability of land resources, keeping of peace and forging strong institutions, and maintenance of close global collaboration for the attainment of these goals.

At least five of these goals are firmly built into the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. These are: poverty reduction and social inclusion; environmental sustainability, climate change and disaster risk management; accountable, responsive and participatory governance; fair and stable order based on international rule of law; and peace and security.