Next Philippine Development Plan anchored on long-term vision, says NEDA

MANILA, Philippines - The next medium term development plan for the country would focus on means of attaining the long-term aspirations of Filipinos, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.

In a statement, the agency said it has started the consultation and crafting process for the Philippine Economic Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 which is slated for release in the early part of 2017.

The next PDP would be the first medium-term development plan anchored on a long-term vision. It would be the first of four six-year plans that aim to realize the aspirations contained in the AmBisyon Natin 2040, the 25-year socioeconomic vision for the country that was adopted last month as the country’s official guide for long-term development planning.

“The PDP will translate AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the administration’s 0+10-point Socioeconomic Agenda into strategies, policies, programs, and activities that emphasize “Malasakit at Pagbabago tungo sa Patuloy na Pag-unlad,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

“The overall objective of the PDP is to lay down a solid foundation for inclusive growth, a high-trust society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy,” he added.

This is based on the long-term vision that by 2040, “the Philippines will be a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor; our peoples will live long and healthy lives, be smart and innovative, and will live in a high-trust society.”

NEDA is now coordinating the formulation of the country’s national and regional development plans and the accompanying investment programs.

Since Nov. 21, NEDA has been conducting consultations in 17 regions for the PDP. The consultations involve representatives from the legislature, executive agencies, local government units, business sector, academe, civil society and other stakeholders.

The strategies of the PDP 2017-2022 are supported by three pillars: “Malasakit” or enhancing the social fabric, “Pagbabago” or reducing inequality, and “Kaunlaran” or increasing potential growth. These can be attained by laying down a strong foundation in national peace and security, strategic and accelerated infrastructure development, resiliency, and ecological integrity.

For Malasakit, the social fabric would  be enhanced by regaining people’s trust. It involves clean, efficient, and citizen-centered governance; swift and fair administration of justice; and promotion of awareness and value of cultural diversity.

For Pagbabago, inequality would be reduced to make ordinary Filipinos feel change. For each economic sector, it involves expanding economic opportunities and increasing access to these opportunities for sub-sectors and groups that lag behind. For individuals and people groups, it involves reducing vulnerability of the poor and acceleration in human capital development.

For Patuloy na Pag-unlad, potential growth would be increased because it is imperative that growth is accelerated and sustained. It involves promoting technology adoption, encouraging innovation, and maximizing the gains from the demographic dividend or slowing population growth.