This was the first lesson in implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), according to Dr. Rosemarie G. Edillon, Undersecretary for National Development Policy and Planning, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), during the third School of Environmental Science and Management ExChanges Webinar Series. SESAM ExChanges is a webinar series on environmental challenges and solutions. The webinar was held via Zoom and Facebook Live last February 08, 2022.

During the opening program, Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB ) highlighted the importance of having Undersecretary Edillon in this SESAM ExChanges as she will shed light on the macroeconomy vis-a-vis on the progress on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). He also proudly mentioned that for two decades, SESAM has been a trailblazer of the environmental science discipline. “I congratulate SESAM and CETD, for consistently leading and organizing these events”, Chancellor Camacho, stressed.

For his part, Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Dean, SESAM, said that the school is very much interested in playing an active role in contributing to the policy direction of the country. He underscored the importance of webinars such as the SESAM ExChanges in sharing ideas and information. “Our aim here is to have an active platform for a more profound discussions on environmental problems, as well as the solutions”, Dr. Ancog said.

Usec. Edillon, a PhD graduate from La Trobe University in Australia and a 2019 Presidential Gawad CES Awardee, said that the stakeholders that should be committed in implementing the  MDGs include the government, private sector, civil society and the international community. It must also include a financing plan and an implementation plan that include programs to build resilience. She added the implementation must have a clear assignment of responsibilities,  as well as appropriate data monitoring.

She pointed out under outcome 1, (economic, social and environmental impacts of production and consumption processes valued), NEDA has conducted an urban carrying capacity of the cities of Tagaytay and Baguio. She also shared the progress in implementing on SDG 13, particularly on climate change, which is stipulated in the Philippine Nationally Determined Contributions (PH-NDC). “Our country committed to avoid 75 percent of future  greenhouse gas emissions between 2020 to 2030”, Usec. Edillon said. 

Usec. Edillon also pointed out some key progress in protecting marine areas, such as adopting policies on establishment of FIsheries Management Areas (FMAS) for the conservation and management of fisheries in Philippine waters (Fisheries Administrative Order 263 Series of 2019);  and the guidelines on the Establishment an Management of Marine Protected Area Networks (Department of Agriculture-Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Department of Interior and Local Government Joint Memorandum Circular).

Ninety-four participants joined the Zoom webinar, while more the Facebook live broadcast garnered more than 300 views from all over the globe. SESAM-CETD, headed by For. Sofia A. Alaira told the audience to expect more webinars in the coming months which will cover pressing issues on the environment.