The Sustainable Development Goals-Family-based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums Project or SDG-FACES is set to be implemented in Mandaluyong City.

SDG-FACES is a project of the DILG, in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), which are global priorities and aspirations for 2030 to combat economic, social and environmental challenges.

SDG is incorporated in the country’s 2017-2022 Philippine Development Plan and the Ambisyon 2040; with the SDG-FACES, national and global development goals are expected to be linked in local development plans.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin and Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the SDG-FACES implementation last September 18, with DILG Mandaluyong Field Office City Director Perla Upano and key city officials serving as witnesses.

Under the MoA, DILG-NCR will provide necessary technical assistance to the City’s implementation of the project; while Mandaluyong shall ensure availability of resources for the project. Local Government Academy, DILG’s training arm shall also provide financial support for the program.

SDG-FACES focuses on communities in developing methods and strategies in addressing poverty, with mothers taking the lead in reaching the goals as they are tasked to monitor progress by submitting a child monthly report card and a quick action guide for the family.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin expressed that with the active participation of communities, the achievement of the SDG will be easier.

“SDG-FACES reflects the essence of bayanihan. The active participation of the community will ensure the sustainability of the project. It is also our goal to give our communities the ownership of the SDG-FACES, and recognize them as our partners in creating the development that we would like to see in our localities,” she noted.

In NCR, Mandaluyong and Pasay were identified as pilot cities for the SDG-FACES.