32.5 M Filipinos Stood Up vs.Poverty

UN CAMPAIGN
32.5M Filipinos stood up vs poverty


By Thea Alberto



MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines has officially gained entry into the Guinness Book of World Records as having the most number of participants in a United Nations-sponsored anti-poverty campaign.

“Stand Up Take Action” got 32.5 million Filipinos to join the three-day activity that was part of the UN's Millenium Development Goal campaign, said Dulce Saret, Campaign and Advocacy Specialist of the United Nations Millenium Campaign.

“No other country can come close to the Philippines as far as mobilizing the largest number of participants is concerned. But more than the numbers, the Stand Up Take Action campaign should result in concrete policy changes and actions that directly address poverty," said Minar Pimple, UN Millennium Campaign deputy director for Asia.

The Philippines registered the largest number of participants among UN-member countries that joined the campaign, with 35,264,652 people, as validated by auditing firm SGV.

Africa came in second with 24,496,151; Arab States 17,847,870; Europe with 951,788; Latin America 211,250; and America with 123,920, among others.

"This is part of advocacy campaign to call to action for everyone to do something to address poverty," said Saret, noting that it was not enough just to sign up for the program.

She said participants had to do concrete actions against poverty like planting trees, taking part in medical missions, pre-natal care, and feeding programs. The campaign also managed to unite religions for the eradication of poverty.

Ironically, the Philippines also holds a high poverty record, with 33 percent of the total population living in this state where they are earning only $1 per day, said Dolores De Quiros-Castillo, assistant secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission