University of the Philippines Open University

Faculty of Management and Development Studies

Master of Management Program

Roldan A. Talaugon April 19, 2021

PM 208 PAS Faculty-in-Charge: MSBaylon

Quiz #3

On Development
 Briefly discuss the main idea/s and features or characteristics, strengths

and weaknesses of one model or theory of development. Should our country

pursue this model of development? Why or why not?

After some shortcomings in the previous development models, the UN

Commission on Environment and Development (UNCED) made the realization of the

importance of Dag Hammarksjold Foundation’s idea in the 80’s of a development in

harmony with the environment (Cabo, 1997). So, in an Earth Summit organized by the

UNCED was conducted in Brazil in 1992 which gave birth to the Agenda 21 which is

a global blueprint and action plan for Sustainable Development for the 21st century.

Its main concept lies with the idea of “development that meet the needs of the

present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their

own needs” (WCED, 1987).

Sustainable development basically gives utmost consideration and realization

that the natural resources and environment that we mostly enjoy or take advantage

and abuse for our current needs and wants are not infinite and that we are at risk of

already feeling the effects of environmental degradation and ecological insecurity as

evidenced with global warming, acid rain, profligate human consumption and waste,

rapid population growth, and even warfare, among others (Cabo, 1997). However, as

described by Pronk and Haq (1992, as cited in Cabo, 1997): “The call for sustainable

development is not simply a call for environment protection. Instead,

sustainable development implies a new concept of growth – one that provides

fairness and opportunity for all the world’s people, not just the privileged few,

without further destroying the world’s finite natural resources and carrying

capacity.” To give realization on such development model, in 2000, the UN

Millennium Declaration was created and adopted by different member states which

laid the ground for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that gives

importance on the reduction of poverty and human development. In 2015, the MDGs

were replaced with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 SDGs

tackle a wider variety of problems and issues in social, economic, personal,

physical, and environmental, being an all-encompassing nature of development. It

was designed to bring the world to several life-changing ‘zeros’, including zero poverty,

hunger, AIDS, and discrimination against women and girls. (UN SDGs, n.d.). Also, a

guide for the greatest chance to improve life for future generations.

However, sustainable development as enshrined with the SDGs were also

criticized and placed under scrutiny for trying to cover a very broad area of issues,

rather ambitious, and idealistic (Adhikari, 2018). Furthermore, Adhikari enumerated

the main challenges of sustainable development today which needs a lot of sincere,

concentrated, and coordinated effort: (1) Lack of financial resources to carry out

and plan sustainable development; (2) SD is not possible in war-torn countries

as there are other priorities on hand; (3) Natural occurrences or calamities can

pose a threat to sustainability as they can shift the flow of water and destroy

certain elements of infrastructure; (4) The governmental conflict between

immediate profit and investment towards sustainable technologies; (5)

Corruption; (6) Lack of efforts at the municipal level; and if I may add, the lack of

sincerity and political will.

With the question of whether the Philippines should pursue the idea or concept

of sustainable development, we should. Sustainable development was already

simplified and elaborated through the 17 SDGs. The Philippines up to this time have

commendable accomplishments on its 97 targets and 155 indicators for the said
SDGs. These are also given utmost importance by integrating in every development

plan such as the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. The goals were just fitting

to the current situation and problems faced by developing countries such as ours, and

that it was said that an action in one problem area will affect outcomes in other areas.

As elaborated by Kalaw (1994), our country has been continuously looking for ways

on addressing the issues on sustainable development, such as the initiative on Urban

Ecosystem Management through DENR’s Industrial Environmental Management

Program introducing the Pollution Management Appraisal (PMA) services for

industries where it has brought positive effects and successful cases. Also, the

Philippines Voluntary National Review 2019 on the SDGs and the country’s

accomplishments on the respective targets show promising results on the programs

and initiatives towards achieving and realizing the outcome for today and for future

generations. Among those mentioned in the said review are the Alternative Learning

System, Philippines’ Green Jobs Act, Assistance to Disadvantaged

Municipalities, Project NOAH, Climate Risk Management Framework, and the

Bangsamoro Organic Law, among others. Again, it just needs an inclusive,

concentrated, and coordinated effort coupled with certain policies, proper education,

environmental awareness, and sheer conviction and political will.

References:

Adhikari, O. (2018). Sustainable Development and its Challenges in Developing

Countries. International Young Naturefriends. Retrieved from

http://www.iynf.org/2018/08/a-guide-to-sustainable-development-and-its-

challenges-in-developing-countries/

Accessed: 15 April 2021.

Alfiler, M. C. P. (1999). Philippine Administrative System. Quezon City: UP

Open University.

Cabo, W.L. (1997). Theory and Practice of Public Administration. Quezon City: UP

Open University.

Kalaw, M. T. (1994). Issues in Sustainable Development. 16th Annual Scientific

Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology. PICC, Manila.

Retrieved from

https://www.nast.dost.gov.ph/images/pdf%20files/Publications/NAST%20Tran

sactions/NAST%201994%20Transactions%20Volume%2016/4.%20Issues%2

0in%20Sustainable%20Development%20%20%20Maximo%20T.%20Kalaw,

%20Jr.%201994.pdf. Accessed: 15 April 2021.

Reyes, C. M. et. al. (2019). Challenges and Opportunities in Meeting the Sustainable

Development Goals in the Philippines. Philippine Statistics Authority.

Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/Session%204.3.2%20-

%20Manus_SDG%20Challenges%20and%20Opportunities_27Sept2019.pdf

Accessed: 15 April 2021.

Shah, A. (2009). Sustainable Development Introduction. Global Issues.

Retrieved from https://www.globalissues.org/article/408/sustainable-

development-introduction. Accessed: 18 April 2021.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (n.d.). Sustainable Development

Goals. Retrieved from

https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-

goals.html. Accessed: 18 April 2021.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform. (2019).

Philippines Voluntary National Review on Sustainable Development Goals.

Retrieved from

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/philippines.

Accessed: 18 April 2021.

 FEEDBACK
Grade 10.00 / 10.00
Graded on Thursday, 13 May 2021, 1:54 PM
Graded by Picture of Minerva BaylonMinerva Baylon
Feedback comments
Hi Dan. Thank you for submitting your answer to Q#3.

I hope you saw and read my post on plagiarism in our course site. Please
take note of the 26% Turnitin similarity report.

This is a good answer, responding directly to the questions.

You have a very positive outlook of our performance in the SDGs. I quote
from your answer:

"...Also, the Philippines Voluntary National Review 2019 on the SDGs and the
country’s accomplishments on the respective targets show promising results
on the programs..."

"The Philippines up to this time have commendable accomplishments on its

97 targets and 155 indicators for the said SDGs." I don't think I have the
same positive assessment of it.

For me, the 2019 PVNR document is more narrative and descriptive, without
really analyzing and showing where we are in achieving the goals, and these
are on selected SDGs only. In the overall ranking of countries in the SDG
index, the Phils ranked 99 out of 193 country signatories with a score of
65.50. Still, ranking does not really matter if not much improvement in the
quality of life of our people has taken place.

A discussion of the issues and challenges encountered by the Phils in

implementing and trying to reach the SDGs could have provided a better
picture of the real situation at the ground level.

The emerging models that tried to define the meaning of devt can be
characterized as holistic and integrated and as such, they tend to be seen as
duplicating each other. It can be better described as complementing each
other. It is good to remember that each model has a distinct contribution to the
discourse. Without discounting the other elements of the models, SD is
always associated with the environment while SHD is with people participation
and empowerment.

Kalaw's (1994) is a good resource material but it is always better to look for
more recent ones esp if the topic is "As elaborated by Kalaw (1994), our
country has been continuously looking for ways on addressing the issues on
sustainable development..."

Cabo and Alfiler are also good resources but in discussing concepts it is always
good to go to the original proponent of the concept.