|
I. Background and Rationale
On October 1987, human rights activists from around the
world gathered in Paris to denounce extreme poverty through the establishment
of a Commemorative Stone in Honor of the Victims of Extreme Poverty at the
Plaza of Human Rights and Liberties, the venue where the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights was signed in 1948. This initiated the annual commemoration of
the event to reiterate the call to solve extreme poverty which violates basic
human rights and dignities.
Taking cue from the organization of the Committee for World
Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty in October 17, 1992, the United Nations General
Assembly in December 22, 2005 recognized the annual observance and approved a
resolution declaring October 17 as the "International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty".
In the Philippines, former President Fidel Ramos in 1993,
by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 269 declared October 17 of each year
as the National Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty. As such, a replica of the
commemorative stone discussed earlier was crafted and placed in Rizal Park,
Manila, Philippines.
In 2004, President Macapagal-Arroyo expanded the observance
and declared October 17 to 23 of every year thereon as the “National Week for
Overcoming Poverty” through Proclamation No. 717 (PP 717).
The said proclamation stated that the objective of the
activity is “to unite and gather the support of all sectors of society—national
government agencies, local government units, civil society organizations,
private sector and the poor communities themselves – in the fight against
extreme poverty.” It tasked the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) to
lead, coordinate, monitor and evaluate the nationwide yearly observance of the
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty in coordination with the Regional
KALAHI Convergence Groups, local government units, and other key partners and
stakeholders in poverty reduction.
Specific objectives of the commemoration as per PP 717 are
the following:
·
Raise
the awareness of KALAHI partner communities, basic sector representatives,
national and local government agencies, civil society groups and the private
sector on the true situation of poverty in the country and in their respective
localities;
·
Generate
support and renew the commitments of the different poverty reduction
stakeholders in realizing the Pro-Poor Reform Program under the 10-Point
National Development Agenda; and
·
Recognize
and appreciate the various initiatives of poor communities and groups in
uplifting the lives of poor Filipinos.
In consonance with the spirit of PP 717, activities will be
designed to revitalize the collective energies of stakeholders and to refocus public
attention towards fast-tracking and achieving the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) and poverty reduction goals and targets, as defined in the Medium-Term
Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) 2004-2010. It also intends to provide the
avenue by which key stakeholders can share best practices and success stories
in fighting poverty, as well as celebrate the breakthroughs in crafting and
implementing innovative approaches towards people’s empowerment, good
governance and social reforms.
II. Objectives
1.
To
make the public aware of the week-long commemoration and instill in them the
virtues and principles espoused by the observance which is the refusal of
extreme poverty and the respect of human rights, dignity, and freedom;
2.
To
review and highlight gains and accomplishments as well as current efforts being
undertaken by the government in partnership with non-government stakeholders;
and
3.
To
invite more stakeholders to join in the fight against poverty and build a
critical mass to ensure a greater chance of effectively eradicating poverty at
the soonest time.
III. Activities
To achieve these objectives, the following activities are proposed
to be undertaken spearheaded by NAPC.
1. Wreath-Laying Commemoration at the
Commemorative Stone Marker Site
This activity is being held to continue the tradition of
gathering around the commemorative stone to mark the International and National
Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty. An ecumenical celebration shall take place
to begin the observance which will be followed by the laying of the wreath. It
will serve as the kick-off activity for the National Week for Overcoming
Poverty.
2. “Stand Up, Speak Out” Campaign
In cooperation to the global
campaign launched by the United Nations, the NAPC will advocate and participate
in the activities being drawn up. Close
coordination will be forged among all NAPC partners, basic sectors, government
agencies and the private sector to actively participate in this campaign.
3. Convergence Activities at the National, Regional,
and Local Levels
From October 17 to 23 of every year, various National Government
Agencies (NGAs), Regional KALAHI Convergence Groups, local government units,
Basic Sectors organizations, private/business sectors, and other partners shall
be requested to conduct “convergence events,” which shall be enrolled to the
NAPC Secretariat and consolidated into a Calendar of Convergence Events in Observance
of the National Week for Overcoming Poverty.
A Convergence Event is any stand-alone milestone activity
organized or conducted by a specific National Government Agency (NGA) or
cluster of NGAs, Regional KALAHI Convergence Group, Local Government Unit(s)
(LGUs), Basic Sector organization, CSOs, Private/business sector organization,
etc. The proposed activities are presented below.
|
Convergence Event
|
Description
|
|
Wreath-laying
Replication in Cities
|
-
The wreath-laying ceremony will be replicated in cities where there
replica of the Commemorative Stone stands or where replicas may be unveiled.
|
|
Hanging
of banners and recitation of the Universal Prayer
|
- The “Universal Prayer” may be used as Invocation during the Flag
Ceremony of government offices, schools and other institutions.
- Recitation of the “Verses to the Honor of the Poor of All Times”.
- Messages to be delivered by heads of agencies/officials at the Flag
Ceremony focusing on poverty reduction and social reform.
|
|
RKCG
Ulat sa Bayan Laban sa Kahirapan
|
-
Conduct of presscon or media hopping to announce gains and
accomplishments of KALAHI efforts. Talking heads and poverty reduction
champions may be assigned to do the Ulat.
|
|
KALAHI
Community Day
|
- Conduct of dialogues, forums, interface sessions to discuss and raise
awareness of communities and stakeholders.
- Launching, inauguration or turn-over of pro-poor projects.
|
|
Pulong
Barangay/Bayan Laban sa Kahirapan
|
- RKCG/PAs coordinate with Local Chief Executive to conduct Barangay or
Municipal consultations on their respective program of action against
poverty.
|
|
KALAHI
Arts and Culture
|
- Hold arts and cultural activities.
- Launch poetry, song and art contests in schools.
|
|
Kabisig
ng KALAHI
|
- Interface sessions may be held between the RKCG and private and
business sectors. Pledging of
commitments will be the highlight of this activity.
|
4. People’s Day for
Overcoming Extreme Poverty or Ugnayan Laban sa Kahirapan
As a culminating activity, a People’s Day for Overcoming
Poverty shall be held which can be an expanded “Ugnayan Laban sa
Kahirapan”. Exhibits to inform the
public of government’s anti-poverty efforts as well as the actual delivery of
services shall be showcased in various booths that will be set up. This will
include, among others, the following:
a)
provision
of mini-skills training seminars for livelihood;
b)
information
centers for housing and urban land concerns;
c)
availability
of low-priced medicines and other basic commodities;
d)
job
fair;
e)
free legal
and counseling assistance.
5.
Other Local Initiatives such as “Halad sa Katawhan” and “Anti-Poverty Day” to
provide free medical and social services, mini-sports fest, motorcade,
vegetable gardening, fruit trees planting, and a “walk for a cause” to create
awareness and increase peoples involvement in the fight against hunger and
poverty.
To attract and sustain the interest of the public, a
variety show featuring artistic and cultural presentations shall also be held
for the entire morning of the said day.
Suggested
Activities within
the
National Week for Overcoming Poverty
|
Activity
|
Oct 17
|
Oct 18
|
Oct 19
|
Oct 20
|
Oct 21
|
Oct 22
|
Oct 23
|
|
1. Wreath-Laying
Ceremony at the Commemorative Stone Marker Site in Luneta
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Stand Up, Speak Out
Campaign
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
Convergence Activities at the National, Regional, and Local Levels
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
3.
People’s Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IV. Participating Agencies and Organizations
|
Government Agencies
|
Basic Sectors
|
|
•
Department
of Agriculture
•
Department
of Agrarian Reform
•
Department
of Budget and Management
•
Department
of Environment and Natural Resources
•
Department
of Education
•
Department
of Interior and Local Government
•
Department
of Finance
•
Department
of Health
•
Department
of Labor and Employment
•
Department
of Social Welfare and Development
•
Department
of Trade and Industry
•
National
Economic Development Authority
•
Housing
and Urban Development Coordinating Committee
|
•
People’s
Credit and Finance Corporation
•
Presidential
Commission on the Urban Poor
•
National
Youth Commission
•
National
Commission on the Role of Filipino Women
•
National
Disaster Coordinating Council
•
National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples
•
Cooperatives
Development Authority
•
Commission
on Higher Education
•
Office
of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
•
Children’s
Welfare Council
•
League
of Provinces in the Philippines
•
League
of Cities of the Philippines
•
League
of Municipalities of the Philippines
•
Liga ng Barangay ng Pilipinas
|
• Farmers and Landless Rural Workers
• Artisanal Fisherfolk
• Urban Poor
• Indigenous Cultural Communities/
Indigenous Peoples
• Workers in the Formal Sector and
Migrant Workers
• Workers in the Informal Sector
• Women
• Youth and Students
• Persons with Disabilities
• Victims of Disasters and
Calamities
• Senior Citizens
• Non-government Organizations
• Children
• Cooperatives
|
|
|
|
|
![NWOEP Banner [English]](/NWOEP/nwoep final copy.jpg){kind=link}
![NWOEP Banner [Tagalog]](/NWOEP/nwoep final tagalog copy.jpg){kind=link}
