Neda eyeing to craft ‘rolling’ economic development plan in push for continuity

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is considering the adoption of a “rolling” Philippine Development Plan (PDP) to minimize any adverse effects on the economy at the end of every administration.

In a House of Representatives Economic Affairs Committee Hearing, Neda Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said the rolling PDP will mean the updating of the plan will be done not only for the last three years of the current administration but the next six years, comprising the first half of the next administration’s term.

Currently, the country’s PDP is created at the start of every administration. At the midterm or the third year of implementation, the plan is updated for the remaining three years.

“It’s always the case that at the end of the administration, you see all these let’s say capital investments going down because the time horizon is only for the six years but we think that you can have six years at the start of the administration and then at midterm, update it for another six years,” Edillon explained.

Edillon said under the arrangement, the next administration will still get the benefit of creating an update and will ensure that the entire government will be focused on continuity.

However, Edillon said the idea is still being discussed at the Neda level along with other ways to improve government planning, especially in light of the Ambisyon2040, or the country’s “longterm vision.”

Other options on the table include proposed legislations that seek to improve development planning in the country, as well as the budget modernization bill that the Neda supported.

Edillon said that under the budget modernization bill, the Neda is mandated to come up with an intergenerational plan, which is a 40-year plan.

“This is something that we are still discussing within the Neda and maybe elevate this to the Neda board,” Edillon said.

The Neda has already completed a midterm PDP update. However, due to the pandemic, the Neda decided to re-do the plan to take into consideration the changes needed to revive the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Edillon assured that the Ambisyon2040 and the current PDP are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).

She said the SDG targets are actually incorporated in the PDP to ensure the country’s achievement of these goals and the targets were used as strategies to attain the Ambisyon2040.

“As it is, [the Ambisyon2040] is a set of aspirations. Like I said, it’s a vision, it’s not actually a plan. The plan [PDP] will really change given new things, innovations, and like this pandemic, we need to make a correction. But I think the direction should still be toward achieving the aspirations,” Edillon said.

Based on the results of the survey and focus group discussions on the Ambisyon2040, Filipinos want the Philippines to be a prosperous and predominantly middle class society where no one is poor.

Filipinos also want a society where people live long and healthy lives, are smart and innovative, and enjoy a high-trust society.