The Zero Extreme Poverty Philippines 2030 (ZEP PH 2030) held its annual General Assembly last November 26, 2019. The collective movement of CSOs committed to uplift 1 million families by 2030, the ZEP PH 2030 general assembly gathered at the Bayanihan Center in the Unilab Complex in Pasig City saw the glimpse of what lies ahead through local convergences.

The GA began with the presentation of Director Maryanne Darauay from the National Economic Development Authority which gave an overview of the poverty situation. CSOs observed that the presentation of Director Darauay touched on the situation of certain regions and provinces. This is very well appreciated and matched the theme of localization which is the direction of the movement.

The plenary speakers included the De La Salle Philippines who presented the ZEP App, the United Nations Development Programme who presented more about their Accelerator Lab, and a panel of public servants on their experience of poverty reduction and engagement with civil society. The panelists were Governor Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao of the provincial government of Dinagat Islands and Mayor Roland Boie M. Evardone of the municipality of Arteche in Eastern Samar.

One of the highlights of the GA was the meeting with local convenors. Local convergence areas were initially established in Cebu, Davao, Bohol, and Marawi City. Members of ZEP PH 2030 came together in the particular local convergence areas to see possible areas where programs or projects of the member CSOs can meet and bring development to the area and also reach the part of 1 million families in the locality. During the GA, apart from the above mentioned areas the local convergence meetings were also facilitated by convenors from the following areas – Rapu Rapu (Albay), Arteche (Eastern Samar), Tondo (City of Manila), Sarangani, Bukidnon, Antipolo City, and Quezon City.

In the closing remarks of the GA, led by Dr. Milton Ayamun of the International Care Ministries, the coalition members were once again asked of their commitment to reach out to their communities and achieve the target in over 10 years’ time.

CODE-NGO is part of the lead convenors group of ZEP PH 2030, along with AF, PBSP, PHILDHRRA and PHILSSA. CENVISNET is the local convenor for Cebu, while most AF members takes the role of local convenors in the growing number of convergence areas.

Members of the Technical Working Group and Secretariat of the ZEP PH 2030 pose with Lead Convenors and take a breather after the successful GA.