PNoy admin concludes regional consultations on new devt plan

Regional consultations for updating the government's development plan has concluded, with the Aquino administrations' economic team vowing to focus on creating jobs at the grassroots. 

 

In a statement Tuesday, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it concluded regional consultations for the updating of Philippine Development Plan (PDP)  2011-2016 .

 

It convened representatives from local governments, private sector, civil society groups, and other local development stakeholders in all 16 regions of the country.

 

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said that the consultations aim “to ensure that stakeholders at the regional level take part in the planning process.” 

 

The PDP is being updated to assess and address gaps, constraints and bottlenecks in attaining rapid, sustained and inclusive growth.

 

Secretary Balisacan, who is also NEDA Director General, 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,” he added.

 

According to the American Center for Law and Social Policy, quality jobs refer to employment providing decent wages, security, advancement opportunities, and healthy working environment. 

 

Balisacan underscored the importance of having regions  identify their challenges and  propose major regional programs supporting national development. 

 

An accompanying document listing indicators determining progress of development initiatives dubbed as the “Results Matrix” will be confirmed, the NEDA said. 

 

According to the NEDA, both the PDP Midterm Update and the new Results Matrix highlights three critical elements: 1) high and sustained economic growth, 2) growth that generates mass employment; and 3) growth that reduces poverty and facilitates the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. 

 

Transparent and responsive governance, guaranteed national security and peace, and ecological integrity will remain overarching platforms in implementing the strategies in the PDP. 

 

Last March, Balisacan told reporters that an updated development plan focusing on people and quality jobs to address the growing number of jobless Filipinos has been asked by President Benigno S. Aquino III. 

 

The review is in line with the President's memorandum order for an update of  the development plan—which was crafted at the start of the Aquino administration in 2010 and unveiled in 2011. – Siegfrid Alegado, GMA News