This document summarizes key outcomes, outputs, and activities of the UN system in the Philippines from 2005-2009 across five outcome areas: 1) macroeconomic stability and development, 2) basic social services, 3) good governance, 4) environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation. Some highlights include advocating for policies to promote rights of vulnerable groups, supporting poverty reduction strategies, strengthening health and education systems, localizing the MDGs, improving governance, and building capacity on issues like climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.

1. ANNEXES
ANNEX 1 UNDAF (2005-2009) – KEY OUTCOMES, OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES
This chapter documents the major outcomes, outputs and activities under five UNDAF outcome areas and a
number of cross-cutting themes of the UN system in Philippines during UNDAF 2005-2009 roll out. The
achievements are either agency specific or results of joint efforts. These results also reflect collaboration
with donors, government departments and civil society organisations.
1) UNDAF Outcome 1: Macro Economic Stability and Broad-Based and Equitable Development
• In the first year of the UNDAF (2005-2009) roll out, the UN system in the Philippines jointly
advocated and supported the Government in developing policies and programmes to promote rights
of children and women, including at risk and vulnerable sections of the society – child labour,
indigenous peoples, agricultural workers/farmers and domestic workers.
• Capacity building activities were conducted to enhance access to livelihood opportunities and health
and family planning information and services.
• The UN System assisted in developing a Poverty Reduction Strategy, based on the MTPDP and
incorporating the MDGs.
• The framework for a harmonized approach to population and poverty integration in development
planning and programming was drafted.
• In 2006, papers on agricultural productivity, employment, population management and poverty
reduction were produced as contributions UN System to various policy discussions.
• In 2007, UN system commissioned three high-level studies to look at the ‘financing gap’ for the
attainment of MDGs at national and local level. As a result of this effort, political endorsement was
garnered at an ASEAN summit, forming the basis for a region-wide effort to address issues of
financing the MDGs. This effort yielded increased expenditures for health, education, agriculture
and environment, and, reduction of debt interest payments by P17 billion in 2007. Prioritization of
MDGs in the preparation of national and local budget proposals became an important part of the
policy guidelines and procedures issued by the Department of Budget and Management.
• In 2008, UN partnered with the House of Representatives to strengthen institutional capacities and
mechanisms of the local government units and civil society organizations for pursuing pro-poor
policy reforms and programs. Commitment for the MDG-Sensitive Budget was mobilized and civil
society-legislature oversight in Congress was initiated through the formation of an Alternative
Budget Initiative (ABI) Technical Working Group on People’s Participation.
• UNFPA commissioned population studies to measure the impact of population growth on achieving
the country’s MDG targets.
• In response to the global food crisis and soaring food prices in 2008, through the Initiative of
Soaring Food Prices (ISFP), UN embarked on a project to increase rice supply by improving
farmers’ capability in adopting improved rice production technologies. The initiative also developed
some small-scale irrigation facilities.
• In 2009, along with ADB and DOLE, ILO organized a high level forum on responding to the
economic crisis – Coherent Policies for Growth in Employment and Decent Work in Asia and the
Pacific.
• The MDG-F joint programming on Youth, Employment and Migration convened provincial
consultations to gather key issues and identify existing policies, programmes and potential partners
for possible linkages.
• Through UNDP funding, NEDA in collaboration with DBM has developed a monitoring tool and
guideline on MDG budget and expenditures.
• UNFPA advocacy work contributed to enhanced public awareness on the value of having a national
comprehensive law on reproductive health and enactment of Reproductive Health ordinances in 22
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2. LGUs. A total of 37 LGUs were assisted in the preparation of their socioeconomic plans that
integrate population and development dimensions.
• UNFPA supported the Philippine Government in the review of the Progress of the 1994 International
Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the preparations of the annual ICPD
Country Report.
2) UNDAF Outcome 2: Basic Social Services
• In 2005, the UN supported the development and review of policies, legislations and provided
logistical support in the areas of HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, including breastfeeding,
nutrition, non-communicable disease prevention, and malaria control.
• WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNAIDS, under the guidance of the HIV/AIDS Theme Group,
provided technical assistance to the Government and other development partners in preparing
Country Proposal to the Global Fund Round Five. This proposal was subsequently approved.
• UNICEF, WHO and UNAIDS assisted in the provision of Anti Retroviral (ARV) drugs for
HIV/AIDS, vaccines and Vitamin A.
• UNFPA and UNICEF collaborated with USAID in developing a joint plan for the conduct of
maternal mortality rate (MMR) survey.
• UNICEF, UNFPA and Japan International Cooperation Committee (JICA) jointly funded the
development of the training manual and conducted the training of health workers on Basic
Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care.
• ILO, UNICEF, WHO and UNAIDS partnered with the business sector (Employers’ Confederation of
the Philippines) to formulate workplace policies on HIV/AIDS.
• In 2006, UN agencies and PDF group advocated for a multi-year budgeting framework for social
sectors - education and health.
• UN assisted programmes in support of Basic Education Sector Reform Agenda (BESRA) and
integration of Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) in the curricula of the secondary level
education, contributing to accelerated implementation of the reform process.
• UN successfully advocated for a supplemental budget for the National Program Against Child Labor
that was approved at the House of Representatives.
• Joint efforts by UN agencies provided monthly food rations to nearly 38,000 primary school children
as an incentive to attend school, attain improved nutritional status and learning. As a result,
attendance levels were sustained in the 220 participating schools in five (5) Mindanao provinces.
• Over 15,500 pregnant and lactating women and nearly 14,300 children under two years received
monthly food rations to enhance nutritional status and as an incentive for their participation in
monthly mother child health care sessions and follow-ups.
• In 2007, UN agencies’ active participation in the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) established
a strong link between the economic and social policy agenda of the Government, which resulted in
enhanced financing for social sectors.
• A series of analytical and research work on maternal and newborn health and Reproductive Health
Commodity Security in the Philippines were undertaken by the UN System in order to support
evidenced based advocacy on maternal mortality..
• UN/PDF work also contributed to a growing awareness in support of the Basic Education Reform
Agenda (BESRA), with notable progress on School-Based Management (SBM) and Competency-
Based Teachers Standards (CBTS), as well as an expanded implementation of Province-wide
Investment Plan (PIPH) for health.
• The National Sector Support for the Social Welfare and Development Reform Project (NSS-
SWDRP) Reform Agenda was initiated in 2007.
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3. • UN supported the Health Sector Reform Agenda by providing medical equipment for comprehensive
and basic emergency obstetric facilities and training on life skills, still birth attendance and basic
emergency obstetric and new born care.
• UN prepared several background papers to support GOP in its assessment of the Comprehensive
Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) extension, and restructuring of the Agrarian Justice and Law
Systems.
• The Provincial Hunger Mitigation Action Plans were finalized and the second follow up Measles
Campaign, focusing on urban slums and rural poor were implemented.
• The Food for Education Programmes reached over 185,000 primary school children in over 800
schools in Mindanao, which contributed to 40 percent improvement in school attendance and a
reduction in drop outs to 5 percent.
• Advocacy and policy work with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) resulted in direct
lending to Homeowner’s Association for shelter and increased accessibility of housing loans.
• The Food Security Steering Committee (FSSC) was established in 2008 to provide a strategic
response to the needs of the Government regarding the soaring food prices, drawing on in-country,
regional and global resources. The FSSC/UNCT participated in the National Food Summit, the
ASEAN-UN Meeting and IFAD/ADB and WB joint missions.
• UN initiated discussion with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on ways to
improve effectiveness of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in support of the poorest
families and children.
• UN through the League of Municipalities (LMP) and League of Cities (LCP) disbursed US$521,000
and US$15,000 worth of modern family planning (FP) supplies to the poor as safety nets.
• The UN advocacy and capacity building activities,contributed in improving the coverage Early
Childhood Care and Development from 43 percent in 2007 to 47.5% in 2008 and percentage of
barangays providing ECCD services exceeded target of 88 percent rising from 85 percent in 2007 to
90 percent in 2008.
• With UN assistance enabled the Philippines to reach the global epidemiological targets of 70 percent
case detection and 85 percent treatment success rate since 2004, whilst the 2007 3rd National TB
Prevalence Survey showed a 38 percent reduction in the TB cases.
• Concept note for the MDG-F thematic window on Children, Food Security and Nutrition was
approved amounting to $3.5M for a 3-year program.
• UNFPA in collaboration with DepEd successfully integrated adolescent reproductive health into
elementary and secondary school curricula of pilot public schools in 10 provinces, covering nearly
25,000 elementary and 40,000 secondary students.
• UNFPA advocacy efforts succeeded in procurement of additional RH commodities for their new
family planning clients for LGUs.
• WFP school feeding programme targeted over 72,000 students in 428 assisted schools in conflict
affected Mindanao that resulted in an average school attendance of 94 percent during the school year
of 2008-09.
3) UNDAF Outcome 3: Good Governance
• In 2005, UN agencies provided technical support to Government for carrying out reform
programmes in the justice department, elections commission, revenue-generating offices and the
Office of the Ombudsman.
• ILO and UNDP conducted joint studies on rights-based indigenous practices, indigenous governance
and integrated indigenous conflict-resolution practices in the national system. Advocacy efforts by
the UN resulted in ratification of the ILO Convention 29 by the Philippines.
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4. • UN strengthened transparency and accountability in public administration schools and civil society
organizations.
• Tools for integrating human rights, gender, and Decent Work principles in local development plans
have been designed.
• The UN system provided support to local government units in MDG localization, with the following
outputs: MDGs adopted as framework for governance in leagues of LGUs; 14 MDG pilot cities have
become resource cities for other LGUs; MDG localization toolkit developed; DevInfo Training
conducted; and, additional cities for MDG localization identified.
• Further, in 2006, localization of MDGs was the focus of the work of the UN system. UN agencies
worked closely with 20 MDGs Resource Cities and demonstrated their capacity to meet local MDGs
targets. 10 local government units were awarded for their innovative efforts to meet the MDGs,
which were documented as best practices.
• Working closely with the private sector, the UN system sponsored and partnered with the Asian
Institute of Management (AIM) to organise the 2006 Asian Forum on Corporate Social
Responsibility (AFCSR), the largest gathering of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
practitioners in Asia.
• In 2007, preparation of additional Sub-National Progress Reports on the MDGs and development of
MDG Rights-Based Indicator System as a basis for tracking progress; establishment of a Model
Human Rights City; and support for monitoring of LGU Action Plans on the MDGs etc. were
initiated.
• In 2007 UN provided support for building consensus on key policy issues addressing legal barriers to
empower the poor and the vulnerable. It also improved capacities of local public administration
institutions to provide services and undertake continuing education on Human Rights and Gender at
the local level.
• In 2007 Civil Society Advisory Committee (CSAC) was operationalised, as a strategic partner of the
UNCT.
• In 2008, UN supported the monitoring and compilation of concluding observations of Philippine
Compliance to UN Human Rights Treaties and measures taken to respond to recommendations of
UN treaty bodies in the observance of the 60th year of the UDHR.
• UN supported the implementation of the Family MDGs and the child-focused MDG Report Card
through the Family-based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums (FACES) Project in
30 cities; this innovative approach streamlined the link between national and local government top-
down MDG programming and monitoring and bottom-up community/family-led MDG-focused
initiatives.
• UN enhanced the capacities of the Regional Sub-Committee on Gender and Development
(RSCGAD) as the primary body in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to lead
in the revision of the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (CMPL).
• 15 KHUTBAS on gender and Islam were agreed upon by an eminent group of ulamas (Muslim
Religious Leaders) to guide in recognizing the important roles of both women and men in Muslim
society.
• UN efforts to improve the aviation security contributed to an enhanced capability of Air Traffic
Organization in safety oversight and creation of an enabling legal framework. The UNCT
successfully mobilized US$5 million for the Joint programming on Enhancing Access to and
Provision of Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor.
• The UN Expanded Theme Group on Governance was established in 2009 to serve as a platform for
donor and the UN to discuss governance issues and explore possible areas of collaboration and
coordination.
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5. • UNCT partnership with the UN Civil Society Advisory Committee (UN CSAC) was revitalized for
their role in the formulation of the new UNDAF.
• The State of World’s Indigenous People was launched with sharing of UN agencies initiatives on IPs
and ceremonial signing of the UNDP IP Programme as a potential framework for Joint programming
on IPs.
• UNDP launched IP Development Programme on poverty reduction, the promotion of human rights
and protection of the environment in the context of ancestral domain development and protection,
with funding support from the government of Spain.
• With UNDP’s initial support to the development of HRBA toolkit in the development planning,
other UN agencies have committed to the roll out of trainings for national planning agencies staff.
4) UNDAF Outcome 4: Environmental sustainability and Climate Change Adaptation
• In 2005, the UN system contributed to the country’s over-all capacity development for environment
and natural resources management by supporting formulation and implementation of a series of bills
and strategies on environmental policy, renewable energy, and alternative fuels etc. including, the
Environmental Policy Act, the bill on Renewable Energy, the Forestry Master Plan and local
ordinances for protected areas or conservation sites in the country.
• To ensure wider stakeholder participation and availability of data for environment authorities, ICT
tools were also developed.
• Technical assistance was provided to mainstream the sustainable development and population
framework in local development planning, including the conduct of capacity-building activities for
communities. Policy studies were conducted on energy, demonstrating the linkages between energy
and poverty. At the community and school levels, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene were
advocated, including provision of water and sanitation supplies in some areas. A partnership with
the private sector was developed to promote environment-friendly technologies.
• In 2007, the UN system contributed to the formulation of a consolidated Renewable Energy Bill and
adoption of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Bio-fuels Act, providing for an
important policy platform for renewable energy technologies in the Philippines.
• The First National Conference on Climate Change Adaptation was conducted in October 2007 and
the Albay Declaration was adopted to address the urgent priority of global warming. The UNCT
succeeded in mobilizing USD 8 million of the Spanish MDG Fund for the Joint programming on
Climate Change and Adaptation.
• In 2008, the country operationalized the Bio-fuels Act and prepared for a shift to energy efficient
lighting through Executive Orders with Global Environment Facility (GEF) support.
• The UN initiatives facilitated consensus building on climate change and disaster risk reduction
through the National Disaster Risk Management Framework and the Strategic National Action Plan
on Disaster Risk Reduction.
• The UN system provided support for the development of a localized Integrated Decision Support
System as the basis for LGU actions for addressing the climate change issue. The UN efforts
contributed in enhancing the planning & programming capacities of 3,724 local authorities and
stakeholders on disaster risk management in 10 out of 15 regions, the negotiating and programming
competencies of 6 key national government agencies on climate change, biodiversity conservation
and management of persistent organic pollutants, and also the implementation capacities of over 40
community organizations on water, forest, coastal resources management and renewable energy.
• The UN system contributed in institutional strengthening on forest rehabilitation through capacity
building of 180 government foresters, extension staff from LGUs and NGOs, as well as
mainstreaming of natural regeneration in the government and donor supported rehabilitation
programmes.
• In its second year of implementation, in 2009, the MDG-F Joint programming on Climate Change
and Adaptation (UNDP as the lead agency with participation of UNEP, FAO, WHO, ILO, UN-
HABITAT) supported provision of key climate information for enhancing the level of knowledge of
the national government agencies and its partners and improvements of the climate forecasts.
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6. • The UN continues to support the government in mainstreaming the biodiversity and climate change
adaptation strategies in policy formulation.
5) UNDAF Outcome 5: Conflict Prevention and Peace-building
• In 2005, UN system supported the Government of the Philippines in the drafting, mobilization of
resources and management of the Joint programming for lasting peace in Mindanao (Act for Peace),
which was launched in July 2005.
• The UN system actively participated in the completion of the Joint Needs Assessment, which proved
to be a critical input for the development of a comprehensive package of assistance for the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
• UNICEF and ILO created child protection networks in areas of conflict, provided support to Child
Friendly School Systems models to address education in conflict-affected areas, and also contributed
in prevention and reintegration of child soldiers.
• UNFPA worked on the issues of reproductive health, population and development, and gender
awareness integrating them with peace-building in former conflict-affected areas. Dialogue and
conflict management processes were put in place in several areas through the local Peace and
Development Councils.
• In September 2006, on the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Peace Agreement between the
Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), a policy paper reviewing the ten
years of implementation of the Peace Agreement was commissioned by the UN.
• As members of the PDF Mindanao Working Group, the UN provided support in the development of
a framework to operationalize Human Security as a basis of donor convergence in Mindanao.
• The UN System continued its active participation in the peace-building initiative in Southern
Philippines (Mindanao) through ACT for Peace Programme and its activities among 225 Peace and
Development Communities (PDCs).
• The UN also supported development, publication, and dissemination of peace education exemplars
for elementary and secondary schools. Finally, in September 2006, these exemplars were integrated
into basic education curricula.
• The UN supported the development of a national peace policy, resulting in the filing of House Bill
5767 (or the National Peace Act) in Congress. As part of the formulation of a Security Sector
Reform Index (SSRI), initial indices were developed in collaboration with government agencies and
CSOs.
• In 2007, the UN supported formulation of an updated National Peace Plan, reflecting human security
concepts, as well as institutionalizing Peace Education in the basic education.
• Considerable progress was achieved in mainstreaming peace promoting planning in local
governance, specifically in Mindanao.
• The UN provided temporary food rations to 200,000 internally displaced people in central
Mindanao, Sulu and Basilan; and distributed nutritious food supplements at health clinics to cover
over 8,000 pregnant and lactating women and young children. The latter intervention contributed in
increasing the number of women who attended antenatal and post natal health clinics in the conflict
areas.
• Agri-based projects in six regions in Mindanao complemented government efforts for enhancing
self-reliance and sustainability, while the adoption of UN-supported Training for Rural Economic
Empowerment methodology for community based enterprises, documented an 80 percent increase in
incomes of former combatants and their families.
• In 2008, the UN provided technical and financial support for formulation of the updated National
Peace Plan by incorporating human security perspectives, for integration in the Medium-Term
Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP).
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7. • The UN contributed in mainstreaming the Culture of Peace in the curriculum of 46 “Schools of
Peace” in Mindanao; facilitating dialogue and reconciliation and providing platforms for
peacebuilding through provision of basic services and livelihood projects to more than 84,000
beneficiaries in 256 conflict-affected communities.
• The UN supported the development of a curriculum for Islamic pre-schools, which is expected to
benefit an estimated 18,000 Bangsamoro children in 600 conflict-affected communities in Mindanao.
• Training was imparted on conflict-sensitive planning/programming to local institutions resulting in
Local Peace and Development Plans for 76 LGUs.
• The UN facilitated formation of peace advocacy networks in 22 out of 27 provinces in Mindanao.
• In Mindanao, implementation of the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for Sexual and
Reproductive Health, directly benefited 5,000 pregnant women and adolescent affected by armed
conflict.
• In 2009, WFP and UNICEF conducted a joint emergency nutrition and food security assessment of
the conflict affected IDP population in central Mindanao.
• ILO and FAO assisted IDP communities in post-conflict livelihood needs assessment, which
provided inputs for designing and implementing sustainable livelihood initiatives.
6) Cross-cutting Issue: Human Rights
• In response to the increase in the number of reported unexplained killings, a small task force was
formed within the UNCT to engage with the government and key partners such as the EU and the
Commission on Human Rights for finding immediate, long and short term solutions to address the
issues of human rights violations.
• In 2007, as a follow up on the Alston Report on Extra Judicial Killings, the UNCT collaborated with
the Office of the President and the Commission on Human Rights, to identify areas of cooperation,
and also provided resources to implement components of Government’s five-point plan of action to
address human rights issues.
• Philippine Country Task Force on Monitoring and Reporting (CTFMR) was formed to monitor
serious violations of children’s rights in armed conflict. A first report covering the period 2005-2007
was submitted. The UN also conducted a Universal Periodic Review of the State’s fulfillments of the
HR obligations and commitments.
• An MILF-UN Action Plan related to the release of children in situations of armed conflicts was
signed in July 2009.
• The UNCT supported human rights mechanisms and activities, such as providing inputs to the SG’s
Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, OHCHR confidential inquiries on systematic and
grave violations, and monitoring of country-level initiatives related to treaty bodies.
• UNIFEM provided support to women’s NGOs in conducting case studies and filing two cases under
the Optional Protocol or CEDAW – an individual complaint on VAW and an inquiry request on
reproductive health.
• In September 2009, there was a high level mission that reviewed the trade union situation in the
Philippines and application of the ILO Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the
Right to Organise (No. 87).
7) Cross-cutting Issue: Gender Mainstreaming
• In 2005 the UN system in the Philippines achieved considerable progress in mainstreaming gender
into UN and donor programmes.
• GMC was instrumental in finalizing the UN Gender Strategy Framework and conducting several
capacity-building activities for the UN staff.
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8. • The UN led the ODA-GAD (Official Development Assistance - Gender and Development) Network,
in developing the National Harmonized Guidelines on Gender-responsive Development
Programming. An effective advocacy campaign was undertaken for the CEDAW, Beijing Platform
for Action, and the MDGs at the local level.
• Partnership was developed to focus on gender concerns in HIV/AIDS through the Girls, Women and
HIV/AIDs network (GWHAN).
• In 2006, to enhance gender responsiveness of the UN system, the UN collaborated closely with
national and bilateral/multilateral partners to mainstream gender issues into planning, programming
and M&E processes.
• The UN also developed a JP on Responding to the CEDAW Recommendations for strengthened
implementation of the Convention in the country.
• In 2007, the UN JP on CEDAW provided support in enhancing capacity of selected national
stakeholders, UN programme staff and academic partners.
• Gender audit was undertaken to make the Country Programme Action Plans and annual work plans
of UN funds human rights and gender compliant.
• In 2008 a Joint Country Gender Assessment was carried out in collaboration with ADB and other
ODA-GAD Network, which informed the CCA document.
• The Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines was followed in designing GAD tools to be
used by UN agencies with its implementing partners in project design, planning, implementation,
and monitoring.
• UNAIDS volunteered to undergo participatory gender audit with the support of the UN Gender
Mainstreaming Committee (GMC) members and partners.
• The Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710 signed into law) was enacted on 14 August 2009.
• The UN provided technical inputs for the review and update of the Philippine Plan for Gender
responsive Development and the Medium Term Development Plan.
• The GMC conducted participatory gender audits of UNDP and UN-HABITAT, which promoted
gender responsive programming.
8) Cross-cutting Issue: Humanitarian Reforms/Early Recovery
• The UN system, working closely with the National Disaster Co-coordinating Council, was providing
humanitarian and relief support, in response to a series of natural calamities that struck the
Philippines in 2006, which affected around 11 million people with an estimated loss of almost $1.6
billion.
• The government sent out an advisory to its partners informing them that it had asked the UNRC to
facilitate and coordinate the international assistance. In response, A UN Typhoon Appeal 2006 was
launched in December 2006 to address the impacts of the 4 super-typhoons that affected the country
in the last quarter of the year. The Cluster approach was immediately operationalized both at Manila
and in the field. The country was able to draw down on the CERF funding; and humanitarian and
relief services to the value of $6.2 million.
• Given the chronic nature of the natural disasters in the country, the UN work in 2006 focused on
reducing vulnerability to natural disasters. This was undertaken through identification of multi-
hazards, conducting risk assessments and development of early warning systems in the most
vulnerable communities of 27 provinces.
• The UN system was also instrumental in harnessing international support for Disaster Risk
Management work in the Philippines, by passing a resolution 60/169 in the General Assembly on
this issue.
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9. • In 2007, an important development was the decision to implement the UN Humanitarian Reform,
reflecting an important shift in UN system’s response in the Philippines, focusing on contingency
planning, preparedness, response and early recovery, for coordinated disaster risk management.
• The UN Disaster Management Team was expanded into an Inter-Agency Standing Committee
(IASC) with improved coordination and strengthened partnerships between UN and non-UN actors
in relief and early recovery.
• The IASC and the Government fully adopted the ‘Cluster’ arrangements. Through cluster system, an
Integrated Early Recovery Coordination and Emergency Operations Center in Bicol were set up
along with the finalization of a National Cluster Preparedness Action Plan and an IASC Contingency
Plan.
• Mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction in the National Economic and Development Authority was
complemented by simultaneous preparation of multi-geo hazard mapping in the most vulnerable
eastern seaboard provinces, to enable implement community-level first-response actions on the
ground.
• An additional $11 million was mobilization for residual humanitarian and early recovery needs in
2007 through the Consolidated Appeal Process, providing the opportunity to make a visible impact
in the typhoon- affected regions.
• In 2008, several missions were undertaken to ascertain the gaps and needs in view of the resurgence
of the armed conflict in Mindanao.
• UNHCR conducted a mission in October 2008 providing recommendations to the protection and
camp management clusters and contingency planning.
• OCHA deployed a Humanitarian Affairs Officer in October 2008 and also engaged a National
Disaster Response Adviser in December to support the RC Office in Manila.
• The IASC agreed to support government led cluster mechanisms at the regional levels and for NGOs
and INGOs to strengthen their coordination. The appointment of government focal point at regional
level with IASC counterparts was agreed. New Terms of Reference for the IASC Cluster lead
agencies were endorsed by IASC Country Team.
• An inter-agency Early Recovery (ER) Network was established with increased private sector
partnership. UNDP ER Project likewise expanded into an inter-agency project. Following Typhoon
Frank, an interagency ER rapid needs assessment was conducted.
• As 3 strong typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng and Santi devastated large stretches of Luzon, RC/HC was
requested by the government to coordinate international humanitarian response.
• In Mindanao, an Early Recovery forum was established by UNDP.
9) Cross-cutting Issue: HIV/AIDS
• In 2005, under the leadership of the HIV/AIDS Theme Group and technical support from the
HIV/AIDS Technical Working Group, the government with other partners drafted the Country Plan
for the Global Fund Round Five, which was eventually approved.
• Under the same coordination mechanism, the national AIDS Medium-term Plan 2005-2010 and the
United Nations Integrated Support Plan (UN-ISP) were developed.
• The Theme Group on HIV/ AIDS reviewed the existing Philippine AIDS Law jointly with the
Congressional Special Committee on the MDGs.
• M&E system and capacity-building for the Philippine National Aids Council (PNAC) were
undertaken.
• Gender and HIV/AIDS networks were strengthened.
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10. • Inter-agency support was provided to facilitate the provision of ARV to people living with HIV.
• To support the national response to HIV/AIDS, the UN system, assisted in the development of a
functional M&E system for the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC), NGOs and local AIDS
Councils in 2006.
• UN supported rationalization/enhancement of PNAC and revision of the Implementing Rules and
Regulations of Republic Act 8504 (AIDS Law).
• The first UN Joint Programming on HIV and Migration was finalized along with the Roadmap
towards the Universal Access to Scale Up Prevention, Care and Support Program on HIV and AIDS.
• The operationalisation of the National Strategic Plan on AIDS was further strengthened through the
costing of the AIDS operational plan for 2007-2008.
• Strategic partnership was forged with the GFATM, ADB, and USAID for implementation of
intensified prevention strategies.
• During the 2008 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS), Philippines Country
Report was cited as one of the best reports submitted from the region.
• A mid-term assessment of the 4th AIDS Medium-Term Plan (2005-2010) was completed. Through
the advocacy of UN Agencies, data analysis, transparency and availability, utilization were
improved, and as a result a sense of ownership and capacity of key players (particularly the National
Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health) was created.
• Both the Philippine National AIDS Council (PNAC) and NEC have maintained evidence-informed
programming.
• The Joint UN Team on AIDS strengthened national M&E and surveillance system on AIDS. As a
result an Integrated HIV Behavioural and Serologic Surveillance was conducted and this improved
HIV/AIDS registry.
10) MDG Advocacy
• A series of studies were commissioned including studies on MDGs 3 and 5 in 30 municipalities;
End Child Hunger, Underweight Children Program; Nutrition survey; multiple-cluster surveys and
sub-regional MICS surveys, Roadmap for Universal Access to Prevention, Care and Support for
People Living with and Affected by HIV/AIDS and 17 regional MDG reports, to promote evidence
based advocacy
• The UN Month celebrations included hosting of the National Summit on Hunger and Population
jointly with the league of municipalities; and establishment of a new world record for simultaneous
breast-feeding to highlight the nutritional benefits of breastfeeding..
• In 2008, the UNCT was successful in utilizing resources of the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC)
to support year-long activities conducted for accelerated achievement of MDGs.
• The Joint UNCT Statement to PDF highlighted inclusive growth as a means to achieve the MDGs
and emphasized a rights-based approach to development.
• The Philippines effectively mobilized 32.5 million Filipinos in 2008 and 36.1 million Filipinos in
2009 in the ‘Stand Up, Take Action’ (SUTA) campaign, and the country featured in the Guinness
World Record with the highest number both in absolute terms and as a percentage of population.
11) Avian Influenza
• With a focus on enhanced preparedness, UNCT Pandemic Preparedness Exercise was conducted in
2007 to validate aspects of the Philippines UN Emergency Management Plan for an Avian Human
Influenza. Specific aspects of the Plan evaluated communications readiness, including the activation
and function of a Help Desk; arrangement for the release and distribution of anti-virals; and,
effective decision making and coordination.
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11. • The UNCT finalized and approved the emergency plan of action for the avian and human influenza
pandemic. The UN system in the Philippines was among the first to undergo a desktop stimulation
exercise for AI preparedness in May.
• In 2009, through the inter-agency Pandemic Influenza Task Force and leadership of WHO, the UN
updated its Pandemic Preparedness Plan for UN staff and dependents.
12) Security Management
13) An effective communication system (ECS) was established in 2007 to replace the warden system.
14) Emergency communication and table top exercises were conducted by the UNCT to test the
efficiency of disseminating security-related information to staff members. All staff successfully
completed the Online Advance Security Training.
15) In 2008, UNCT adopted a risk management approach and mainstreamed security into operations
through regular Security Management Team (SMT) meetings and updating of security plans and risk
assessments.
16) Significant improvements in the communication systems was noticed with a 24/7 radio room in
Cotabato. The UNCT upgraded the security of UN vehicle fleet and security contingency planning.
17) Liaison with the government, security forces and MILF was also improved as a result of the
implementation of information collection and sharing procedures. A professional security officer
was deployed in the field, under a UNCT cost-sharing agreement.
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12. ANNEX 2: The United Nations System in Middle-Income Countries (MIC) in South-East Asia:
Development Cooperation and the UNDAF
The report of the United Nations Secretary General (Aug, 2009) on Development cooperation with middle-
income countries emphasizes the role of MICs in the context of globalization and interdependence, and their
importance for promoting the United Nations agenda of development for all, including the achievement of
the Millennium Development Goals. The General Assembly recognized that MICs still faced significant
challenges in their efforts to achieve the internationally agreed development goals. The United Nations
system and the multilateral financial institutions have played crucial role in facilitating international
development cooperation with MICs.
The operations of the United Nations system in MICs are guided by the principles defined in the triennial
comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development. In general, in MICs Governments
and civil society actors emphasize the UN system’s role in provision of policy and technical advice and the
UN is perceived as a politically neutral development partner. The United Nations system does not yet have a
well-defined agenda to address both the common and the idiosyncratic challenges faced by MICs. As noted,
the emphasis may vary depending on country-specific needs, but perennial development challenges, such as
poverty eradication and financial stability, and emerging issues, especially climate change, will remain
priorities. The report underlines that the United Nations system should also enhance its support to
strengthening South-South cooperation.
The following section outlines the role of the UN in some of the MICs in the region. The question is not
whether UN is relevant in MICs, but how and under what forms/modes of operations UN can better function
with national partners.
Vietnam
Vietnam is gradually moving towards MIC status. ODA in Vietnam is shifting towards credit and UN’s
contribution to ODA has drastically fallen from 50 percent to 2 percent over last 20 years. In the new aid
environment, the government and the donors expect more effective, cohesive and strategically focused UN,
responding to Government needs and priorities. UN’s comparative advantages in Vietnam were seen in terms
of impartiality of advice, convening power and knowledge broker. A reformed, more strategic UN delivering
high quality upstream policy advice, capacity building and technical support is of significant relevance to
Viet Nam as it moves towards MIC status. Paradigm shift requires change of UN staff skill mix. Fewer
project administrators and more highly qualified policy advisors.
Thailand
As Thailand has progressed up the ranks of MICs, UN has seen its relevance decline. Thailand is relying
much less on aid as source of financing, as it has the ability to mobilise alternative sources of financing with
fewer strings attached. In the changed scenario, the UN has recognized the need to move much more towards
partnership approach. The role of the United Nations Systems in Thailand is characterized by the partnership
between the UN and the RTG in areas of strategic importance to Thailand as a MIC. This partnership is
based on two-way exchange of knowledge and expertise; the UN learns from Thailand and shares
development successes and lessons learned from other countries. To reflect this new strategic approach, the
document in Thailand is referred to as the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF).
Adopting a human-rights approach to programming, the UNPAF (2006-2010) aims to empower the most
vulnerable people in society to claim their rights to live in dignity, also fulfil their societal obligations. Five
strategic areas of cooperation included – access to quality social services and protection; decentralization and
provincial/local governance; access to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support,
environment and natural resources management. A fifth area is support for Thailand’s emergence as a donor
country, which primarily includes facilitating Thailand’s exchange of experiences with other countries in the
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13. spirit of South-South cooperation and building its capacity to deliver aid effectively. Recently conducted
MICII study38 (2009) suggests that the UNCT should respond to the RTG’s request for more support to
south- south cooperation and more broadly the RTG’s role as a regional and global development advocate.
The study also advocates that the UNCT should strengthen its interface with the RTG and aim to increase
ownership of the UNPAF with the RTG. For an effective partnership, the study recommends that limited
human and financial resources need to be targeted at RTG’s priority needs where UN system has a
comparative advantage (such as convening power, neutrality, social credit, network around the world etc) .
UN’s role in substantive policy engagement with the RTG has been emphasized.
Indonesia
As Indonesia moves along the path to high-level MIC status, the relative importance of ODA is likely to
decrease in the coming years. While UN financial contribution to ODA is limited, the UN has proved to be a
reliable development partner through its support to post tsunami recovery and reconstruction, disaster risk
reduction, peace consolidation and conflict prevention, the advancement of human rights and democratic
processes and the promotion of MDGs. Consultation processes, for developing UNPDF (United Nations
Partnership for Development Framework) for 2011-2015, have indicated that the most appreciated
comparative advantages of the UN are its (i) support to global norms and standards, (ii) human development
and MDG focus, (iii) broad-based partnerships with civil society and the private sector, (iv) respect for
national ownership, (v) presence at local and decentralized levels, (vi) access to regional and global
expertise, and (vii) support to capacity building.
Areas that need further strengthening include increased coordination in funding, greater synergies across
agencies, stronger focus on policy rather than on service delivery, more predictable funding levels, and less
dependence on project level resource mobilisation strategies. The UN will also sharpen its focus on the poor,
vulnerable and disadvantaged and its decentralized programme will give priority to the “least developed,
frontier, outer and post conflict areas” identified in the Mid-Term Development Plan (2010-1024). Making
use of its global network of the UN will assist Indonesia in enhancing its engagement in South-South
dialogue, especially with other MICs.
The Philippines Context
The roll out of the new UNDAF (2012-2016) and the preparatory phase are very important in the present
socio-economic and political context. With the new government in place, the UNCT in the Philippines has a
great opportunity to cut a niche and demonstrate the relevance and efficiency of the UN system. As expected
by the GOP, the UN can set an example to other bilateral and multi-lateral partners in the Philippines39. This
will call for acceleration and strengthening of the ‘Delivering as One’ efforts and progression towards the
‘One Programme’ in a coherent and coordinated manner ensuring alignment with national priorities. The
proposed One Programme, as the central driver of the ‘Delivering as One’, provides an opportunity to put in
place an integrated strategic framework of the UN’s programmatic interventions reducing overlap and
fragmentation. Comparative Advantages (CAs) of the UN system in the Philippines include the following:
• Normative role in advocating and promoting global norms and standards, inclusive
development, the MDGs and human rights;
• Wide menu of expertise combined with acccess to global technical knowledge and
experience, including South-South cooperation;.
• Impartiality/neutrality and ability to convene diverse stakeholders and build consensus;
• Ability to broker and/or mobilize resources;
The UN’s strength lies in “upstream” engagement in policy and sharing of best practices and technical
knowledge especially in the context of the Philippines as a lower middle-income status country. Under the
Paris Declaration, donors committed to providing technical co-operation in a manner that is coordinated with
38
UN Operations in a MIC: Formulation of a Strategy for UN Coherence and Effectiveness in Thailand – Part II
39 Report of the 2007 UNCT Annual Retreat
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14. strategies and programmes in the partner country. The results of 2008 survey on Monitoring of the Paris
Declaration shows that 43 percent of the technical cooperation provided by the UN was coordinated with the
Philippines country programmes. Thus, there is a considerable scope for improvement in the provision of
technical knowledge in a coordinated manner.
For simplification of the country programming process, ‘One Programme’ can be integrated with the
UNDAF exercise. Emphasis should be put on simplifying the reporting on the programming cycle. One
Year-End Report for all UN activities in a country is sufficient and increases transparency especially with
reference to the Government and development partners. To ensure a smooth transition, the organizational
structure should support the vision. Skill sets of staff members should shift more towards policy advocacy.
Based on the lessons learned, the emerging issues for the next UNDAF cycle can be summarized, as follows:
• Thematic/sectoral and geographical focus of UN interventions need to be determined and areas of
convergence should be identified and agreed upon;
• There is a need for establishing a management structure for the UNDAF with clear specification of
responsibilities and accountability. The UNCT and Government should be equal partners in the
management mechanism. The UNDAF should be owned by the Government to ensure an effective
implementation and monitoring, which is also crucial for realizing the ‘DaO’;
• For an operational UNDAF, participation of all stakeholders including LGUs, civil society, donors
and private sector should be fostered at all stages;
• Enhanced engagement of non-resident agencies should be ensured in the next UNDAF cycle and
their inputs should be recognized;
• The focus of the UNDAF should be maintained, limiting it to the outcome level. Implementation of
the UNDAF Action plan, to which the UNCT has already agreed, is a right step in this direction.
However, it has to be living document and the RM should be modified whenever necessary. The
UNDAF Action Plan must be revisited periodically by the UN agencies and its partners to review the
progress;
• Strong Results-based Management (RBM) should be put in place for all phases of UNDAF.
• The programming principles such as gender equality and HRBA should be mainstreamed more
effectively in planning, implementation and M&E; these should also be promoted in Government
line departments;
• The joint programming (JP) should be implemented in the true spirit of ’Delivering as One’, and
clear plan should be laid out for the transition to the ‘One Programme’
• There is a need for an effective Joint Communication Strategy to support One UN Programme:
external communication for improving the visibility of the UN, and internal communication to
support the change management process and to ensure enhanced coordination. Communication can
play an important role in popularizing the UNDAF;
• The UNCT should utilize its comparative advantage in policy advocacy and knowledge transfer to
maintain its relevance in a middle income country: it should be a two-way exchange.
• The UN should play an enhanced role in South-South Cooperation – especially in the areas of
disaster preparedness and response, good governance, democratic reform and decentralization.
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15. Annex 3: QUESTIONNAIRE - UNDAF (2005-2009): Lessons Learned
Background
The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) is a vital strategic framework that
articulates a collective, coherent and integrated response of the UN system at the country level in support of
the national priorities and needs. In 2004, the UNCT and its partners in the Government and civil society
prepared the second UNDAF for the period 2005-2009 for the Philippines.
The 2005-2009 UNDAF addresses five interrelated areas of cooperation, namely: (i) macroeconomic
stability, broad-based and equitable development; (ii) basic social services; (iii) good governance; (iv)
environmental sustainability; and (v) conflict prevention and peace building.
To align with national planning processes and to benefit from the new Medium-Term Philippines
Development Plan (MTPDP), at the request of the government the 2005-2009 UNDAF has been extended to
a 2012 start. This year, under the leadership of the Government of the Philippines and in close consultation
with the UN-Civil Society Advisory Committee (CSAC), development partners and other relevant
stakeholders, the UNCT is embarking on the preparatory activities for a new UNDAF. Evaluation of the
current UNDAF is a prerequisite for this process.
Scope of this survey
Inputs collected through this questionnaire will be used for UNDAF evaluation exercise. The evaluation will
be a forward-looking one, with an aim to feed into the design and preparation of the next UNDAF and
Country Programmes. This exercise intends to capture key processes (related to formulation,
implementation, M&E, resource mobilization, partnership and coordination), major achievements,
challenges faced, opportunities and lessons learned during the UNDAF cycle. Overall perspective is
expected from the UNCT/HOAs and theme group/agency perspective should be provided by individual
agencies.
Lessons learned from the current cycle will add great value to the design of the new UNDAF. There are no
wrong and right answers. Since this questionnaire will be the major source of updated information, please
elaborate in as much detail as you can.
Target Respondents
UN Country Team (UNCT), UN Theme Groups (through Lead Convenor), UNDAF Working Group, senior
programme managers (through the UNDAF Working Group focal points), and UN-Civil Society Advisory
Committee (CSAC)
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16. Name of the agency:
Respondent (name and designation):
Number of years in current post (within the UNDAF 2005-2009 cycle):
Association with the UNDAF process: (i.e. formulation, implementation, M&E, resource mobilization,
partnership and coordination)
1a. What were the major milestones in the UNDAF (2005-2009) cycle?
Mention major achievements and events during the cycle from overall (UNCT), theme group or agency
perspectives; it could be related to the process, outcome/output. You can highlight some good practices.
1b. How would you describe your experience as theme group member?
Describe the functioning of theme groups – coordination, effectiveness, leadership related issues. Why some
groups were more effective? Also outline the historical transect of the groups during the entire UNDAF
cycle (how groups were formed, why they dissolved at one point and reinstated again).
2. What worked and what did not work in the process?
Discuss contributing and hindering factors in the process of formulation and implementation/
operationalization of UNDAF from overall (UNCT), theme group or agency perspectives. Were there any
actions taken during the UNDAF cycle to address some of the challenges? Please describe.
Were the programmatic principles (HRBA, gender, environmental sustainability, RBM, capacity
development) adequately incorporated?
3. What are the lessons learned: from overall / theme group/ agency perspective?
In the areas of formulation, implementation, M&E, coordination, partnership, resource mobilization.
4. Delivering as one and Joint Programming: How would you describe the experience and how it could be
made more effective?
Cite a specific Joint Programming effort. Did it improve the efficiency of programme delivery? How?
What challenges did you face?
5. Do you have any specific recommendations for the next UNDAF cycle?
Recommendations in the areas of UNDAF process including stakeholder participation, relevance of current
UNDAF themes, Delivering as One UN etc. What measures would you recommend to popularize UNDAF
among UN staff and other stakeholders? What measures would you recommend for more effective
operationalization of the UNDAF?
6. FOR NON-RESIDENT UN AGENCIES: Was your agency engaged with the last UNDAF? What role
did you play?
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