News Update UN to invest $375.7M for PHL development

The United Nations and the Philippine government on Monday launched the UN Development Assistance Framework or UNDAF under which $375.7 million will be allotted to help national and local agencies strengthen their capacities to deliver social services. “This is a statement of commitment by the UN to align the Organization’s development initiatives with the Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016, which is the national government’s blueprint for inclusive growth,” the US said in a statement citing UN Resident Coordinator Dr. Jacqueline Badcock. The UNDAF serves as a framework for the UN Country Team (UNCT) in the Philippines in its strategic responses to the development priorities of the country, the UN said. “… [T]he UNDAF 2012-2018 is partnership-based, and will be implemented in accordance with the UN philosophy of ‘Delivering As One,” Badcock. 'Cost-effective impact' This means all 25 UN agencies operating in the Philippines will converge “their respective programs when possible to have a greater, more cost-effective impact,” the UN said. Under the seven-year UNDAF program, which starts next year, $147.2 million in development assistance will be used to strengthen capacities of national and local agencies to deliver quality social services for the poor. Also, $46.5 million will be used to generate employment through sustained and “green” growth. For governance, the UNDAF is giving $67.2 million and $114.8 million to “strengthen national and local resilience to climate change, threats, and disasters.” To fund the development aid package, the US said it will source $79 million from regular UN sources and the rest from other sources. Badcock and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director-General Cayetano Paderanga Jr. signed the 2012-2018 UNDAF on July 21, 2011. — VS