GMA reorganizes NEDA

President Arroyo has issued an executive order reactivating and reorganizing the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board Executive Committee to accelerate the implementation of her eight-point reform program in the last 18 months of her administration.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday the EO 158 was signed last Dec. 17 which states the NEDA Board Executive Committee will act as the President’s core group on economic policy.

"The NEDA Execom will be meeting at least once a week to really oversee the implementation of the priority projects of the President, namely the eight-point program and some other new projects that will be discussed from time to time," Bunye said in a press briefing.

He said the first meeting of the reorganized body was held yesterday in Malacañang.

He said the committee will be chaired by Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo while NEDA chief Romulo Neri will act as vice chairman.

Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho, Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin, and Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo are members.

"Others will be sitting in from time to time as may be deemed necessary by the executive board," Bunye said.

He said Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Rafael Buenaventura was present in yesterday’s meeting as a resource person.

The EO noted that Asian economic tigers had elite central agencies formulating, implementing and reviewing economic policies and programs.

Even the United States, it said, revitalized the National Economic Council for the said purpose. – Paolo Romero