Leslie D. Venzon (Philippine News Agency)
President Rodrigo Duterte has issued an Executive Order for the full implementation over the next six years of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the blueprint for the country’s development.
In a press briefing on the launch of the PDP 2017-2022 on Friday, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Ernesto Pernia said the PDP aimed to bring the Philippines to the upper middle category standing by 2022, growing seven to eight percent annually.
Pernia said such first PDP stemmed from the President’s 0-10 point Socioeconomic Agenda, and was anchored on the long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040, as well as the universal Sustainable Development Goals.
“This first of four PDPs that will work to realize AmBisyon Natin 2040, is the product of endless discussions, months of collaboration, and sometimes even heated negotiations between and among various government agencies, the private sector representatives, the academia, and civil society organizations all over the country,” he said.
Ambisyon Natin is the government’s 25-year long-term vision for growth and development.
“By 2040, the Philippines will be a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor. Our peoples enjoy long and healthy lives, are smart and innovative, and live in a high-trust society,” he noted.
Under the new PDP, overall poverty rate is targeted to decline from 21.6 percent in 2015 to 14 percent by 2022.
The unemployment rate will also go down to three to five percent by 2022 from 5.5 percent in 2016.
Pernia further said the government will conduct a midterm review and update of the Plan in a couple of years to make the necessary adjustments to “suit new developments or circumstances.”
“And beyond that, the next administrations will be crafting the next Plans, too,” Pernia added.
Now available online, the PDP has 21 chapters aimed at laying a strong foundation for inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient society and a globally competitive economy.
Meanwhile, President Duterte issued EO No. 27 on Thursday directing all government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to adopt and disseminate the PDP 2017-2022 and undertake efforts leading to its full implementation.
Government agencies and LGUs are also directed to align their budget and programs with the strategies and activities identified in the PDP.