October 29, 2023

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Friday (October 27) called on the country’s city and municipal mayors to align their local initiatives with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He added these goals can be attained by implementing appropriate strategies to address the new challenges faced by their respective localities.

Abalos made the appeal during the Philippine Mayors Forum held at Crowne Plaza Manila.

In his speech, Abalos underscored the pivotal role of local governments in achieving the SDGs as they are “well-positioned to drive change in their respective communities.”

“The Mandanas-Garcia ruling providing greater resources to local government units (LGUs) presents better opportunities for localities to plan, finance and implement more comprehensive and effective climate-sensitive SDG-aligned local development endeavors,” he pointed out.

“The time for decisive action is now,” he stressed.

The 17 SDGs were established in 2015 as an urgent call to action by all countries to tackle global challenges such as poverty and inequality, climate change, and environmental decline.

All countries have agreed to work towards achieving them by 2030.

Abalos also expressed the DILG’s full commitment to shepherd LGUs towards achieving the SDGs.

President Marcos, who graced the activity, reminded local executives that achieving the targets of the country’s economic blueprint can only be made possible through the invaluable role played by LGUs.

The President added the government is currently putting together the final implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling.

He described it as a ‘potent weapon’ in facing the new challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, digitalization, and sustainable development.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/Abalos-to-mayors-Work-towards-achieving-Sustainable-Development-Goals/NC-2023-1215