MANILA, Philippines – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) wants to ensure that a framework encompassing the global 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the country’s Medium Term Plan (MTP) and Philippine Development Program (PDP) are integrated into the country’s strategic plans and program.
NEDA deputy director general and officer-in-charge Emmanuel F. Esguerra said they want to integrate the pertinent SDG, PDP and MTP goals or targets into the government’s strategic plans.
“We will be trying to incorporate these into the program of actions or plans of the different sector,” Esguerra said during the turnover ceremonies at the NEDA main office yesterday.
Esguerra takes over from Economic Planning Secretary and NEDA director general Arsenio M. Balisacan, who resigned to take the top post at the Philippine Competition Council (PCC).
To avoid disrupting the momentum gained by the economy, NEDA has to prepare its exit report, the framework for new PDP, and a long-term vision for the economy embodied in the Filipino 2040 document.
The economy has been in an upward trajectory for the past decade.
In the last six years, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) recorded an average real growth of 6.2 percent, considered the highest since the late 1970s.
Another major achievement that must be sustained in the next administration is the fact the growth in the past decade did not rely on borrowings or short-term portfolio capital.
Strong investments have entered the market in the past few years that generated jobs increased incomes and improved the general well-being of the population.
Esguerra said there were also strategic issues or targets that needed to be introduced to the government’s planning.
As an example, the NEDA OIC said the strong growth of the country’s capital markets should ensure the inclusivity of developments, or opening up more investment opportunities for a large segment of society.
“There will be new features probably more pronounce emphasis on resiliency and basically incorporating social development goals closely with the PDP and the SDG. Thus, we would be able to tighten the link between planning and budgeting agency performance,” the new NEDA chief added.