Neda envisions what country will be like in 2040

THE NATIONAL Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is coming out with an apolitical, long-term development vision tentatively dubbed “Filipino 2040,” which will also serve as a guide for succeeding administrations.

Neda Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan told the Inquirer last week that the 25-year program would also be presented to those aspiring for top government posts so that they would have “a good understanding of what Filipinos want for their future.”

The blueprint will be finished by yearend, and will be presented early next year, he said.

Neda is currently conducting multistakeholder consultations, focus group discussions, and surveys, especially among the youth, to determine what policies Filipinos want implemented by government leaders in the next 25 years, Balisacan said.

“We focus on the youth today because they will still be there in 2040. We want to ensure that their generation has ownership of this vision,” the Neda chief said.

Balisacan recognized the entry of several administrations with different views, but “whoever will come in, they must take cognizance of what Filipinos want for their future.”

He said the future administrations’ development strategies should ideally bring the country closer to the 2040 vision. He said the blueprint will cover governance and institutions, infrastructure, the environment, health, and human capital—or the quality of life in general.

Last week, Manila-based multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is working with Neda to prepare technical studies for the Philippines’ long-term strategic development vision.