Gov't reviewing development plan to focus on inclusive growth

Economic leaders are reviewing the Philippine development plan to ensure that the country's economic growth will trickle to ordinary Filipinos, a Cabinet official said Tuesday.

Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras said President Benigno Aquino III led an 11-hour meeting with the Cabinet's economic cluster on Monday to reassess the country's economic considerations and focus the government's efforts in ensuring inclusive growth.

"Rather than even waiting for the trickle-down to happen, we’re looking for ways to push down even further and faster," Almendras said at a press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday afternoon.

The Cabinet official said the President particularly tackled a "greater focus" on rural development with economic leaders.

"There have been questions about how do we make growth more inclusive. You know, there have been criticisms about GDP numbers favoring only highly urban centers," Almendras said.

Last month, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) reported that the Philippine economy grew by 7.8 percent during the first three months of 2013—the highest in Asia and also the highest under Aquino's watch.

The Cabinet secretary likewise said that economic cluster identified "robust areas" for employment, as well as crops that will generate most benefits for the country, during Monday's meeting. He added that the Philippines is likely to keep its economic targets for now.

Almendras further said that the government is likely to come up with its final revisions on the Philippine development plan before Aquino's third State of the Nation Address, which is set to be delivered before Congress next month. — BM, GMA News