With only five years left to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) has urged a strengthened “whole-of-nation plus” approach to fast-track the country’s progress toward the 2030 Agenda.
Speaking at the national presentation of the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR), DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan underscored the importance of sustained collaboration across government, civil society, business, academia, and development partners to institutionalize reforms and deliver on critical SDG targets.
“The VNR at the national level and Voluntary Local Reviews at the subnational level are not endpoints, but calls to action,” Balisacan said. “We must redouble our efforts, innovate boldly, and work inclusively to build a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient Philippines. This shared commitment, affirmed by your presence today, will drive our collective vision for 2030.”
(Photo credit: https://depdev.gov.ph/)
Progress and Challenges
The 17 SDGs, adopted in 2015, serve as a global blueprint for ending poverty, protecting the planet, and promoting peace and prosperity. According to the latest VNR, the Philippines has made notable progress in several goals, including:
SDG 1 (No Poverty)
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
SDG 4 (Quality Education)
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
SDG 15 (Life on Land)
These gains reflect the country’s commitment to leaving no one behind in its development journey.
However, the report also flagged setbacks in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), citing persistent challenges in healthcare delivery, and in SDG 5 (Gender Equality), particularly in eliminating child marriage and promoting women’s leadership. Climate change, inequality, and financing gaps remain systemic barriers to sustainable progress.
Strengthening the “Whole-of-Nation Plus” Strategy
To address these challenges, DEPDev emphasized the need to:
Strengthen health and gender programs
Invest in education and skills development
Promote digitalization and inclusive growth
Build resilience against climate and economic shocks
Harness data-driven and innovative solutions for SDG acceleration
“The VNR is more than a report—it is our evolving story of resilience and innovation,” Balisacan said. “Today’s gathering is about aligning national and local efforts, while building on lessons and commitments shared on the world stage.”
