IN JUNE this year, the United Nations reported that the Marcos administration had managed to jump six spots to 92nd place out of 167 countries after improved scores in its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s (SDSN) 2024 Sustainable Development Report said the Philippines received an SDG index score of 67.47, a slight improvement from 67.14 in 2023 even as it still struggles to address some of its goals such as improving health and the low-quality education in the country and addressing water and energy issues.

The SDSN reports showed the Philippines had achieved its goals for responsible consumption and production and “moderately” improved in its goals to address poverty and achieve zero hunger; provide decent work and achieved economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; and realize life below water, life on land (SDG 15), and partnerships goals.

It was struggling to meet the targets on good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; sustainable cities and communities; and achieving peace, justice and strong institutions.

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, is determined to meet these Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) along with the realization of his vision for a “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines).

The President said his administration would need the help and cooperation of everyone to realize these goals as these SDGs are important in fueling growth in the country and uplifting the lives of the Filipino people.

“The national government cannot act alone. It must harness the power of LGUs (local government units), as well as civil society organizations, the private sector, and communities, towards achieving the SDGs within the committed timeline. Only by working together…can we build a better Philippines and bring the Bagong Pilipinas into fruition,” Marcos said in one of his speeches.

The President said these goals are aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 and reinforces his eight-point socioeconomic agenda.

Among these goals is the plans for the Philippines to catch up with its Asian neighbors on economic development starting with more infrastructure programs, even while addressing food security, housing, climate change and peace and order, among others.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) had identified and approved at least 198 projects to support the country’s economic development which include building more roads and bridges especially those leading to tourist areas in the country more farm to market road and highways to boost trade and make delivery of good safer and more efficient; improving electricity and power supplies in the different part of the country, not just to ensure a stable supply but also to lower costs; and addressing flooding and climate change; and improving digital connectivity, among others.

NEDA head Arsenio Balisacan said the administration recognized that many of these projects and subsequent projects “will not necessarily be completed during the time of the President,” but as a long-term strategy it plans and prepares the programs “not only for this administration, but for the succeeding administration.”

Balisacan said as of August this year, the Marcos administration is on the right track in implementing the PDP 2023-2028.

He said that apart from infrastructure, the administration is also developing and implementing strategies to improve the education system such as the revised education curriculum and to improve the standing of students in important subjects such as Science, Math and English; generate more quality jobs including matching graduates with what the industry needs; and establish more specialty hospitals around the country apart from providing mobile clinics in remote areas and better health insurance coverage for the Filipinos.

It also continues to pursue efforts to address hunger and reduce poverty to a single digit by 2028 through more social services and by empowering the people especially the poor through more provision of skills and competency training and strict implementation of free education, among others.

The Marcos administration is also pursuing programs and projects to ensure the country’s food security by tapping new technology and innovations for farming and fishing and providing the farmers and fisherfolk with the needed training as well as equipment and access to technology.

The administration is also committed to implementing agrarian reform programs that include distribution and awarding of government lands to farmers, as well as to agricultural course graduates, and the condoning of loans to enable farmers to focus on farming and food production.

President Marcos Jr. has affirmed his commitment to “solving the problems of today” by ensuring that the much-needed projects and programs are already started at the soonest time possible even if it means that they would be completed beyond his term

He said this way it would help ensure “a better tomorrow” for Filipinos.