TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 8 -- The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) in Eastern Visayas is calling for immediate, data-driven action to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) five years before its final year in 2030.

Geselle Frances Zeta, chief economic development specialist of DEPDev regional office here, underscored the need to step up action to attain goals with only five years left before the deadline.

Zeta noted a decline in the progress in five out of 17 goals under SDGs: Goals 5 (Gender Equality), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action).

She cited the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan ...