Agenda 21 is an action plan of the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable development and was an outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. It is a comprehensive blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which humans directly affect the environment. It recognizes that sustainable development is primarily the responsibility of governments, and this will require national strategies, plans and policies. The efforts of nations need to be linked by international cooperation through such organizations as the United Nations. The broadest public participation, and the active involvement of the non-governmental organizations and other groups should also be encouraged.

The objectives of Agenda 21 require substantial assistance for developing countries.
• They need this additional support to cover the incremental costs of actions to deal with global environmental problems,
• and to accelerate sustainable development. Money is also needed to allow international bodies to implement the recommendations of Agenda 21.

What is Philippine Agenda 21?

Philippine Agenda 21 is the nation’s blueprint for sustainable development. In concreting the vision, it describes a path for individuals, families, households and communities; an action plan for each ecosystem (coastal/marine, freshwater, upland, lowland, and urban); and across ecosystems in consideration of the interaction of the various lifescapes and landscapes found therein. The path is grounded on respect and active advocacy for the empowerment of the various social groupings of society to manage the economy, critical resources, society and culture, politics and governance and in the arena of foreign relations.

Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21) is our own national agenda for sustainable development. It is basically made up of: – The Principles of Unity – The Action Agenda – The Implementation Strategies

Philippine Agenda 21 advocates a fundamental shift in development thinking and approach. It departs from traditional conceptual frameworks that emphasize sector-based and macro concerns. Philippine Agenda 21 promotes harmony and achieves sustainability by emphasizing; A scale of intervention that is primarily area-based. The national and global policy environment builds upon and supports area-based initiatives. Integrated island development approaches where applicable. This recognizes the archipelagic character of the Philippines which includes many small island provinces.

People and integrity of nature at the center of development initiatives. This implies the strengthening of roles, relationships, and interactions between and among stakeholders in government, civil society, labor and business. Basic sectors have an important role to play in achieving equity and managing the ecosystems that sustain life.

Sustainable Development Principles

Primacy of Developing Full Human Potential This puts man at the center of all development efforts.

Holistic Science and Appropriate Technology. Implies development of appropriate technology to solve development problems with due consideration to its impact to society and ecology. Cultural, Moral and Spiritual Sensitivity. Considers the inherent strengths of local and indigenous knowledge, practices and beliefs, while respecting cultural diversity, moral standards and the spiritual nature of the Filipino society.

National Sovereignty. Self-determination at the national level to pursue social and ecological concerns in its governance to achieve human, environmental and food security.

Gender Sensitivity. Recognize the importance of complementary roles and empowerment of both women and men in development.

Peace, Order and National Unity. Makes sure that the right of everyone to a peaceful and secure existence is respected.

Social Justice, Inter-and Intra-Generational Equity and Spatial Equity. Equal distribution of resources to everyone (including future generations) and the provision of equal access to development opportunities and benefits to all.

Participatory Democracy. Puts value and support to the participation of all in the decision-making process.

Institutional Viability. Since SD is everyone’s concern, institutional structures should promote joint responsibility, unity and partnership among all.

Viable, Sound and Broad-based Economic Development. Requires working for development that is based on stable economy, where everyone equally shares the benefits of progress.

Sustainable Population. Needs to maintain a number of people that can be supported by the limited capacity of our natural resources.

Ecological Soundness. Requires that we recognize the earth as a common heritage that belongs to all of us, and everyone should care for its capacity to support us and the future generations.

Bio-geographical Equity and Community-Based Resource Management. Means entrusting to the people residing near or within an ecosystem the primary right to manage its resources.

Global Cooperation. Requires international solidarity of every nation’s effort to build a better life and safer environment.

What are the Visions of PA 21?

PA 21 envisions a better quality of life for all Filipinos through the development of a just, moral and creative, spiritual, economically vibrant, caring, diverse yet cohesive society characterized by appropriate productivity, participatory and democratic processes, and living in harmony and within the limits of the carrying capacity of nature and the integrity of creation.

Poverty Reduction: Poverty is a central concern of sustainable development. Consistent with this, the various consultations for the updating of PA 21 have yielded poverty reduction agenda that includes measures to create an enabling economic environment for sustained and broad-based growth; improve employment, productivity and income; and attain food security.

Social Equity: Social equity should mean allocation of resources on the bases of efficiency and equity to achieve balanced development. Efficiency and equity mean the channeling of resources to developing areas where greater economic benefits accumulate and where there is greater need, distribution being dependent on the practicality and urgency of needs.

Empowerment and Good Governance: Empowerment is a precondition of informal choices. Good governance is a necessary precondition to empowerment, as empowerment is to good governance. These two are a defining element of each other.

Peace and Solidarity: The cycle of poverty and conflict goes on as the costs of war escalate in terms of various kinds of destruction while withholding funds for basic services, resulting in more poverty and underdevelopment.

Ecological Integrity: In general, the path towards enhancing the integrity of the country’s ecological domain will have to involve heightened and sustained implementation of environmental laws, as well as the continued pursuit of resource conservation, and environmental restoration/enhancement programs.