NEDA concludes regional consultations for Phl dev't plan

MANILA, Philippines - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced on Tuesday the conclusion of regional consultations for the updating of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) which covers 2011-2016.

NEDA Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the consultations included local governments, private sector, civil society groups and other local development stakeholders in the planning process. The PDP is being updated to address gaps and bottlenecks in achieving sustained and inclusive growth, NEDA said.

“Inclusive growth requires generating high-quality jobs in second-tier and satellite areas and promoting human capital development.  These entail deliberate government action and a better coordination of government efforts,” Balisacan said.

The midterm update, along with the assessment of the country's development indicators, will focus on maintaining the country's high economic growth, generating mass employment and reducing poverty, NEDA noted.

The state agency said the consultation process was also aimed at consolidating the PDP and the Regional Development Plans.

“We want the regions to be able to do the assessment themselves, identify challenges faced by the region, and their proposed major regional programs and/or subnational programs in support of the national development agenda,” the Balisacan said.

NEDA noted that overseas Filipino workers are also included in the plan, as they remain as one of the main drivers of the country's growth.

“We don’t just seek to consolidate, we want to integrate concerns and various efforts of all stakeholders to influence outcomes toward inclusive growth,” Balisacan said.