MANAOAG–Mission impossible.

That was how Edgar Valdez, head of the Municipal Planning Development Council (MPDC), described Manaoag’s attempt to comply with the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

“Parang suntok sa buwan iyan,” Valdez said and confirmed having been informed by the national government about the MDG in 2001, or a year after the commitment was signed by the Philippines under the United Nations Millennium Declaration in September 2000.
The MPDC is the local department tasked to disseminate the MDG information and to facilitate implementation of the projects.

He cited the lack of funds and the “term limit” of elected official as the major drawbacks in achieving the MDG.

“Manaoag, a second class municipality with a population of about 55,000, is still paying for its debts, so the bulk of resources are allocated for this purpose,” said Valdez.

Only 20% of the town’s development fund and some financial help from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Agrarian Reform Commission (ARC) and the Municipal Office are used to fund MDG projects.

He said the three years per term limit of elected local officials poses another problem.

Valdez said many officials prefer implementing “monumental” projects, i.e., waiting sheds that bear their names, etc. instead of pursuing projects aligned with MDG.

“Long term goal ang MDG. Maikli lang ang term ng mga officials,” Valdez said, “kaya hindi masyadong kumakagat sa ganitong projects.”

The MDG, a set of eight targets that should be achieved by 2015, seeks to address poverty eradication, universal education, gender equality, reduction of child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AID and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and development of global partnerships.

FAMILY
PLANNING

The town’s efforts are focused on efforts to reduce the poverty level by 50 per cent.

The Living Standard Survey (LSS) conducted by the municipality in 2006 show that majority of the households are living below standards, and intensive family planning promotion is being waged to address it.

The DSWD holds trainings for livelihood i.e., coal processing, flower-making, and stuffed toy-making for out-of-school youths.

ARC and the Department of Agriculture also provide support for the farmers of Manaoag.

Barangay San Ramon, one of the least-developed barangays in Manaoag, was able to receive farm equipments, seedlings and financial help from DSWD.

Loans are also being made available as farming assistance and small business capital.

“Kung saan may nakikitang opportunity, kung saan may nagre-request, dinadala doon ang tulong,” Valdez said.

He noted, however, that there still a number of borrowers who are simply irresponsible and use funds for other purposes than what was intended. —Dizon, Memorial and Ocay, UPB

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