NEDA to deliver 2017-2022 PHL Dev't Plan in Feb.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) intends to submit to the President Duterte the comprehensive blueprint of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 in February.

"The comprehensive blueprint for integrated development of the country in the next six years will be released to the public within February 2017," it said in an emailed statement.

According to the NEDA, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia intends to complete the PDP by January 31 and present it to the NEDA Board for final approval by the second week of February. The board is chaired by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The 22-chapter PDP has seven parts:

• An Introduction

• A part on Enhancing the Social Fabric (Malasakit)

• A part on Reducing Inequality in Economic Development Opportunities (Pagbabago)

• A part on Increasing Potential Economic Growth (Kaunlaran)

• A part on Enabling and Supportive Economic Environment

• A part on Foundations for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

• A Conclusion entitled Moving Forward

Among those who helped draft the plan were the Secretaries of Agrarian Reform (Rafael M. Mariano), Social Welfare and Development (Judy M. Taguiwalo), Public Works and Highways (Mark A. Villar), Environment and Natural Resources (Regina Paz "Gina" L. Lopez), Science and Technology (Fortunato T. dela Peña), as well as Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto C. Abella, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio B. Evasco Jr. and National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon.

The Duterte administration convened in November the business leaders and civil society groups to draft the PDP in pursuit of growing the economy by 7 percent a year, employment opportunities and raising 1.5 million Filipinos out of poverty.

"This PDP fleshes out the President's priority socioeconomic agenda. Importantly, it is about laying the foundations for AmBisyon Natin 2040, which articulates the Filipino people's shared aspirations for the country," Pernia said.

Approved by Duterte in October, AmBisyon Natin 2040 is the government's long-term vision spanning 25 years to eliminate poverty and hunger in the country.

“The overarching goal of this administration’s reform program is the reduction of poverty by about 8 percent over the medium-term. Each year, we aspire to liberate 1.5 million Filipinos from misery. The reduction of poverty will be made possible by maintaining an annual gross domestic product growth rate of at least 7 percent," Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III earlier said. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VS, GMA News