Only 2/17 SDGs on track to hit ’30 goal

MANILA, Philippines – Only two of the Philippines’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are on track to be achieved by 2030, underscoring the country’s uneven progress despite gains in most development targets since 2015.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) as of May 7 showed that while 10 of the 17 SDGs have recorded progress since 2015, only SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) are advancing at the pace needed to meet their 2030 targets.

READ: Philippines shows stronger progress in SDGs

Article continues after this advertisement

“With just a few years left in achieving the bold vision to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030, progress is visible but uneven,” the PSA said.

FEATURED STORIES

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

BUSINESS

The eight other goals that have shown progress since 2015—but are not advancing fast enough to meet their 2030 targets—are SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Meanwhile, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) have regressed since 2015, which the PSA said reflects setbacks in health outcomes, urban development and disaster resilience.

The remaining five goals, which include SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), could not be fully assessed due to the lack of indicators.

Limited resources

Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the findings were broadly in line with expectations.

Article continues after this advertisement

“That’s what we would expect given the economic developments we have. We have so many indicators. And of course we have limited resources and certain priorities to deploy,” Balisacan told reporters on the sidelines of an event.

READ: SDGs: Creating a more just, sustainable world by 2030

Article continues after this advertisement

The Philippines monitors 162 SDG indicators, although only 99 had sufficient data to assess their pace of progress toward the 2030 targets.

Of the 99 indicators, only 23 are on track to achieve their corresponding 2030 targets at the current pace. More than half, or 51 indicators, require faster progress, while 25 indicators are regressing and would need to reverse course to meet their targets.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“I think that what is important is we are able to identify those areas we are lagging behind and especially areas where we see as so critical to achieving our priorities,” Balisacan added, noting that the government’s focus is on improving health, education, social protection, insurance and infrastructure. INQ