4th SOMDP 14-15 July 2005 Bali, Indonesia Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Plan of Action 4th SOMDP 14-15 July 2005 Bali, Indonesia

The Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010 Basic Tasks - to fight poverty by building prosperity for the greatest number of the Filipino people. The country must open up economic opportunities, maintain sociopolitical stability, and promote good stewardship - all to ensure better quality of life of its citizens.

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA The Philippines supports the ASEAN vision of building a community of caring societies by accelerating poverty reduction within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In line with the MDG, the Philippines targets to reduce poverty incidence from 28.4% of families in 2000 to 17.88-19.81% by 2010

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA MDGs are about basic services to address people’s basic needs and the MTPDP will meet this goal through strategies which are also consistent with the ASCC concern of “building a community of caring societies,” such as poverty reduction, food security, improving access to and quality of basic education, promoting health and nutrition, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases and promoting gender development.

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Strategies of MTPDP to address basic needs of the masses: 1. Livelihood and microfinance 2. Asset reform 3. Essential Services 4. Protection of the vulnerable groups 5. Empowerment of the People

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Social Protection - the MTPDP, also supports the ASCC in strengthening social welfare mechanisms by “developing social technologies, i.e., upgrade case management methodologies, improve administrative management of centers and institutions, to respond effectively to the adverse effects of globalization on children and women, youth, persons with disabilities, among others.”

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Education The MTPDP strategies are also consistent with the ASCC PoA, specifically on facilitating universal access to education. The strategies include: 1. Closing the classroom gap; 2. Install distance learning system in conflict in conflict-affected areas.

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Health 1. Child health and nutrition will be given greater emphasis with the “Bright Child Campaign” 2. Micronutrient supplementation will be vigorously pursued 3. Public health programs to curb and prevent major illnesses

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Health 4. Provisions of affordable medicines 5. Primary prevention on drug addiction through advocacy and IEC activities, as well as secondary (treatment) and tertiary (rehabilitation) care services will be established in all regions

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Managing the Social Impact of Economic Integration 1. Manpower training and development through Technical Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) higher education 2. Social protection for skilled workers

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Enhancing environmental sustainability - MTPDP is also consistent with the 10 priority areas under the ASEAN cooperation on environment

MTPDP and the ASCC PoA Strengthening the foundations of regional social cohesion - MTPDP recognizes the need to strengthen regional social cohesion - a development process that is culture- responsive must be pursued