The Regional KALAHI Convergence Group in Central Visayas (RKCG 7) has recently agreed to serve as monitoring arm of the regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA 7) in tracking the region's progress in attaining the MDGs.

RKCG 7's action was in response to Joint DBM-NEDA Circular No. 01-2011, which provides the guidelines to institutionalize reporting of agencies' budget allocations and expenditures including physical targets and accomplishments for the MDGs.

The institutionalized reporting aims to help track the progress towards the region's attainment of the eight (8) MDGs. The 8 MDGs are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunder; activate universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce infant mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

The Joint DBM-NEDA Circular dated March 3, 2011, gives NEDA the task of assessing the overall agency performance and progress of the MDG indicators.

DBM on the other hand, shall monitor the agencies' fund utilization vis-a-vis budget allocation. It shall also assess physical accomplishments versus targets to ensure consistency with the agencies' Budget Accountability Reports.

Initial MDGs progress tracking will be done for the period 2008-2010.

RKCG 7 is a committee under the Central Visayas Regional Development Council. It plans, coordinates, and monitors poverty reduction programs, projects and resources in the region.

NEDA 7 Regional Director Marlene Catalina P. Rodriguez is Acting Chairperson of RKCG 7.