MANILA, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines may not be able to hit its targets on poverty reduction and combating HIV/AIDS and other major diseases under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the UN by 2015, according to a report released Wednesday.
The 5th report on the country's progress in achieving the eight MDGs indicated that the Philippines has a "medium probability" of reducing poverty incidence to 17.2 percent by next year. The country's poverty incidence is at 25.2 percent as of 2012.
The report, prepared by the Philippine National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the UN Development Programme ( UNDP), said natural calamities have made it more difficult for the country to hit its poverty reduction target.
As for the prevalence of malnutrition, the report said the Philippines may not be able to reach its target of reducing it to 13.6 percent next year. The country's malnutrition rate is at 20.2 percent as of 2011.
The Philippines would also be hard pressed to achieve its commitments on improving maternal health.
Among the eight MDGs, the country has a "high probability" of hitting its targets on promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality and ensuring environmental sustainability.
The eight MDGs, agreed by world leaders at UN summit in 2000, are described as a 15-year roadmap to fight poverty, hunger and disease, protect the environment and expand education, basic health and women's empowerment.
On Monday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked 500 days of action until the deadline to reach the MDGs.
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