From the UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer message Te Millennium Declaration of 2000 set out an ambitious international agenda to tackle peace and security, d evelopment, human rights and the environment. These were enshrined in the 8 Millennium Development Goals or MDGs that address key development priorities through a set of specific goals and targets to be achieved by all countries before 2015 to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, ensure all boys and girls complete primary school, promote gender equality, improve the health of mothers and children, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, protect the environment, and create a global partnership for development. Ten years after the MDGs were established, it is clear that the objectives of human well-being and dignity for all, enshrined in the Universal! Declaration of Human Rights, will not be achieved if the MDGs are pursued in isolation from human rights. Poverty and deprivation are often exacerbated by poor govemance and infringements to human rights. Based on its MDG Report launched in September 2010, the Philippine‘s performance on MDGs is generally low. With only five years left before the 2015 deadline, it is essential to renew our commitment to a human based approach to development. rights- Indeed, the protection of human rights is an absolute prerequisite of human development. This ESCR Handbook reinforces these ideals by serving as a comprehensive guide for civil servants tasked with protecting human rights in Philippine governance. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports the Philippine government in this endeavor by building on the capacity of state institutions to promote and protect the rights of its citizens. To this end, the UNDP and the Commission on Human Rights launched the project: “Strengthening the Human Rights Infrastructure of the Philippines”, of which this publication is a product. This handbook assists in mainstreaming ESCR in Philippine governance. It clarifies the proper procedures by which the condition of ESCR in the Philippines should be monitored and reported on. By following this correct practice, the Commission on Human Rights and other stakeholders will be able to set benchmarks, highlight pressing issues, and hold accountable those who infringe economic, social and cultural rights. The establishment of ESCR norms is particularly important, especially when one considers the fact that many of the conflicts that take place in the Philippines revolve around deep-rooted issues of poverty, discrimination, and exclusion. Such conflicts continue to constrain and undermine development efforts, forming a vicious circle which will only be broken once individuals and communities are guaranteed their economic, social and cultural rights. It is our belief in UNDP that the mainstreaming of ESCR, as facilitated by this publication, will enhance the human dimension of development strategies that aim to eliminate poverty, empower the marginalized, democratic institutions throughout the country. vii and strengthen