WSSD
World Summit for Social Development

 [WSSD Updates] [SOMIS] [Reports] [The 20:20 Initiative]

In 1994, five United Nations Organizations, namely, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, proposed the 20:20 initiative as a means of accelerating the mobilization of adequate financial resources from domestic and external sources to meet the basic human development needs. The initiative calls for the restructuring of government budgets and ODA in favor of basic social services.

In 1995, different countries and international donors discussed this proposal during the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, Denmark. Thus paragraph no. 88.C of the Copenhagen Programme of Action on Social Development states: "Agreeing on a mutual commitment between interested developed and developing country partners to allocate, on average, 20 percent of ODA and 20 percent of the national budget, respectively, to basic social programmes".

In the same year, the 20:20 initiative was further discussed during the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China. Chapter 6, paragraph no. 58 of the Platform for Action states: "To facilitate implementation of the Platform for Action, interested developed and developing countries, agreeing on a mutual commitment to allocate, on average, 20 percent of ODA and 20 percent of the national budget to basic social programmes should take into account a gender perspective."

In 1996, the First International Meeting on the 20:20 initiative was convened in Oslo, Norway. The meeting was participated by a number of countries, multilateral organizations, and NGOs. The main objectives of the meeting were to review the implementation of the initiative and discuss ways to translate this into action. Dr. Cielito Habito, then NEDA Director General, headed the Philippine Delegation, and subsequently chaired the meeting.

Interpretation of basic social services (BSS)

There were particularly two issues, among others, that were extensively discussed during the Oslo Meeting. One was the issue on the composition of "basic social programmes."

Participants during the Oslo meeting agreed not to deviate much from the original UN proposal and further concluded that basic social services should be understood as comprising the following: basic education and primary health care, including reproductive health and population programmes, nutrition programmes and safe drinking water and sanitation, as well as the institutional capacity for delivering those services. It was pointed out that access to these services should be universal, while targeting the poorest and most vulnerable.

Interpretation of numerical targets

Another key issue was how "20 percent of ODA and 20 percent of the national budgets" should be understood. The original UN initiative clearly stated that 20 percent of ODA is not meant to be applied at the level of each developing country, but as a percentage of any donor country’s total ODA. Some donors, however, interpret it as a country level target only. The meeting was not able to agree on a common interpretation. However, it was specified that the ODA share should include contributions through multilateral organizations and NGOs. With respect to the developing country side of the equation, it was agreed that 20 percent of the national budgets should be understood as 20 percent of total public expenditure net of aid. Both sides were urged to reach the 20:20 target as soon as possible and preferably by the year 2000.

Recent Hanoi Meeting on the 20:20 Initiative, October 1998

The Hanoi Meeting was represented by DAR Secretary Horacio Morales, DFA Assistant Secretary Rosalinda Tirona and NEDA-PIS Director Josefina U. Esguerra. The meeting reaffirmed the support of countries to the 20:20 Initiative and defined some operational bases for inducing concrete actions by the different countries. It was stressed that there should be less emphasis on the numerical target and more on the impact, cost-effectiveness, and community participation.

Presidential Task Force on 20/20 Initiative

A Presidential Task Force on the 20/20 Initiative was established on 6 May 1999 by virtue of Executive Order No. 99. The Task Force will act as the policy advisory body for the President and facilitator of coordinated programs and resource mobilization efforts for the 20/20 initiative. The composition includes various government agencies, including NEDA. The Secretary of Agrarian Reform, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and DAP President will serve as the Chair, Co-Chair, and Executive Director of the Secretariat, respectively.

The organizational meeting of the Task Force was held on 20 July 1999.   During this meeting, the Task Force agreed to create a TWG which will meet regularly to ensure the fast implementation of the Task Force ‘s Work Plan.

National Government Expenditures for Social Development

As contained in the MTPDP, there was a constant increase in the resources allocated for social sector. Aside from basic social services, social sector includes labor and employment; tertiary health care; higher education; housing, etc. The sector’s share of the total budget increased from 23.4% in 1993 to 32.3% in 1997. (Table 1). The budget allocation for social services also grew faster that the other sector since 1994. (Table 2). Also, the share of basic social services in the national budget increased from 15.7% in 1995 to 16.4% in 1997. (Table 3)

Table 1. Actual Share of Social Services in the National Expenditure Program, 1993-1997.

(In Real Terms)

 

Table 2. Growth Rate of Social Services in the National Expenditure Program, 1993-1997

Table 3. Basic Social Services, 1993-1997. (In Nominal Terms, P Billion)

On the other hand, ODA allocation for human development priorities in the Philippines fluctuated from 18.5% in 1997 to 6.6% in 1998, as estimated by PIS. We suggest that a meeting be called to discuss how PIS does the computation.

 

Table 5. Ratio of Basic Social Services to Total ODA

NEDA-Social Development Staff (SDS) is currently assisting the DBM in computing the 1998 budget expenditures for basic social services (BSS) to ensure consistency with the UN definition. In this regard, we recognize the importance of including DBM as member of the Task Force on the 20/20 Initiative given its strategic role in ensuring consistency between our planning and budgeting exercises.

 

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MALACANANG
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 99

ESTABLISHING THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON THE 20/20 INITIATIVE

WHEREAS, the 1995 World Summit for Social Development endorsed the 20/20 Initiative for universal access to basic social services, calling on developed and developing countries to agree on a mutual commitment to allocate, on average, twenty percent (20%) of Official Development Assistance and twenty percent (20%) of the national budgets, respectively, to basic social programs;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Constitution mandates that the goal of the national economy is the more equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Government is committed to the attainment of economic development, social equity and social justice;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Government has considered poverty eradication, people empowerment and the provision of basic social services as essential components of its agenda for governance;

WHEREAS, this 20/20 initiative was reviewed and discussed at a special follow-up conference in Hanoi, Vietnam on 27-29 October 1998, which underlined that the goal of universal access to basic social services is based on ethical, legal and economic grounds; and reiterated the indicative allocation of 20/20 in order to close the gap between current spending and the minimum level required to reach universality;

WHEREAS, the more efficient and effective delivery of basic social services is consistent with the Philippine Government’s agenda for poverty eradication and people empowerment.

WHEREAS, the social development objectives of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development (in the 20/20 initiative) parallel that of the Philippine Government’s in the sense that both aim at universal and comprehensive access to basic social services, particularly health and education.

WHEREAS, there is a need to systematically mobilize foreign relations to meet national needs such as peace, development and human dignity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order;

SECTION 1. Presidential Task Force on the 20/20 Initiative. A Presidential Task Force on the 20/20 Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the "Task Force") is hereby established under the Office of the President, to be composed as follows:

a. Secretary of Agrarian Reform - Chairman

b. Secretary of Foreign Affairs - Co-Chair

c. Secretary of Social Welfare and Development - Member

d. Secretary of Health - Member

e. Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports - Member

f. Director-General, National Economic and

Development Authority - Member

g. Undersecretary of Interior and Local Government - Member

h. Secretary of Finance - Member

I. Secretary of Labor and Employment - Member

j. Secretary-General, National Anti-Poverty - Member

Commission

k. President, Development Academy of the Philippines - Member

The Chairmen and the members may designate their respective representatives to the Task Force.

SEC. 2. Functions of the Task Force. The Task Force shall be a policy advisory body for the President and facilitator of coordinated programs and resource mobilization efforts for the 20/20 Initiative and shall meet as and when necessary. The Task Force shall exercise the following functions and responsibilities:

a. To initiative advocacy programs to promote understanding and appreciation of the initiative in helping meet the goals thereof;

b. To coordinate efforts among various government agencies and local government units towards fulfillment of the 20/20 initiative on basic social services;

c. To assist in the formulation of rules and policy on basic social services, and a Comprehensive Agenda of Action for 20/20 in the 21st Century;

d. To provide technical support to the President in the area of basic social services vis-à-vis the 20/20 initiatives.

e. To act as focal point for harmonizing and strengthening the work of relevant agencies in the implementation of their respective programs and strategies for the delivery of basic social services, vis-à-vis the 20/20 initiative;

f. To call on and coordinate with any department, bureau or office of the Government, including government-owned and controlled corporations, to render such assistance needed in the discharge of its functions; and

g. To coordinate with the Social Development Committee, particularly the Multi-Sectoral Committee on International Human Development Commitments, which is mandated to coordinate the monitoring, review and evaluation of the Philippine’s compliance with international human development commitments.

SEC. 3. Report to the President. The Task Force shall submit a comprehensive report to the President by the 30th day following the close of every calendar year, or whenever required to do so by the President.

SEC. 4. Role of Civil Society. The Task Force shall endeavor to perform its functions and work with the basic sectors of government, private business and civil society, and to develop therewith a dynamic and workable partnership based on the principle of participation, mutual interests and a common commitment to the alleviation of poverty.

SEC. 5. Secretariat. The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) shall serve as the Secretariat of the Task Force. The DAP President shall serve as the Executive Director of the Secretariat. He shall be assisted by a Deputy Director/Coordinator for the detailed, day to day operations of the Secretariat.

The Secretariat shall be responsible for convening and preparing for the meetings of the Task Force.

The Secretariat shall have such number of personnel as may be necessary for the efficient and effective performance of its functions. All agencies represented in the Task Force may detail or assign on employee or employees to form the Secretariat on secondment. The Task Force may provide the members of the Secretariat with such honoraria or allowance as may be allowed by law and at rates consistent with those prescribed pursuant to the Unified Comprehensive and Position Classification System under RA No. 6758.

The DAP shall provide the necessary space and facilities for the Headquarters of the Secretariat.

SEC. 6. Funding. Subject to budgetary rules and regulations, an amount of THREE MILLION PESOS 9p3,000,000.00) shall be sourced from the Office of the President as initial operating expenses of the Task Force for 1999. Appropriations for the succeeding years shall be included in the General Appropriation Act. Counterpart funding and technical assistance, however, shall also be sourced from ODA donors including grants from the UN system and other international organizations.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. All orders and issuances or any part thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 06th day of May in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety nine.

(Signed) JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
By the President

(Signed) RONALDO B. ZAMORA
Executive Secretary