Calamba City, Laguna (3 March) -- The Philippines is right on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) agreed upon by the countries of the world way before the target date of 2015, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today.

In her speech opening the Women's Month celebration at the New Calamba City Hall here this morning, the President said the government's efforts to achieve the MDGs has earned the Philippines the Top 6 spot among countries with the highest rate of goals achieved.

"On schedule tayo sa pagtataguyod ng UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) na gender equality pagdating ng 2015," the President said.

Aside from gender equality, the MDG is also composed of "eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; reducing child mortality; combating HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing a global partnership for development," the President said.

"Pang-anim tayo sa pangkalahatan sa buong mundo sa gender parity. Tayo lamang ang bansa sa Asia na nasarado ang gender gap kapwa sa edukasyon at kalusugan, at isa lamang sa anim sa buong mundo na nagakawa nito," the President added.

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the countries of the world and all the leading international development institutions.