‘Predominantly middle class’ PH seen in 25 years

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has started working on the next edition of a development master plan that, it hopes, will help transform the country to a “predominantly middle class” country in a quarter of a century.

In a statement, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the crafting and consultations have started for the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, which is targeted to be released in early 2017.

“The overall objective of the PDP is to lay down a solid foundation for inclusive growth, a high-trust society and a globally competitive knowledge economy,” Pernia said, adding that it would translate the current “AmBisyon Natin 2040” program and the administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda into strategies, policies, programs and activities into workable plans for execution.

The PDP 2017-2022 would be the first medium-term development plan anchored on a long-term vision, Neda said. It is the  first of the four six-year plans that aim to lay down a 25-year vision for the country. Its adoption as guide for development planning is supported by Executive Order No. 5 signed by President Duterte last Oct. 11, 2016.

Pernia said the goal was to make the Philippines “a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor” by 2040; where people “live long and healthy lives, be smart and innovative, and live in a high-trust society.”

The Neda secretariat was directed last October through Memorandum Circular No. 12 to coordinate the formulation of the country’s national and regional development plans and the accompanying investment programs, and monitor their implementation.

Neda has so far conducted consultations in 17 regions for the PDP that involve representatives from the legislature, executive agencies, local government units, business sector, academe, civil society and other stakeholders.

The PDP is expected to be submitted to the Neda Board, chaired by President Duterte, and the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) by January 2017.

The strategies of the 2017-2022 PDP form the three pillars: “Malasakit” or enhancing the social fabric, “pagbabago” or reducing inequality and “kaunlaran” or increasing potential growth. These will be supported by initiatives to foster national peace and security, strategic and accelerated infrastructure development, resiliency and ecological integrity.

First, the social fabric will be enhanced by regaining people’s trust through clean, efficient and citizen-centered governance; swift and fair administration of justice, and promotion of awareness and value of cultural diversity.

Inequality will also be reduced to make ordinary Filipinos feel change. For each economic sector, it involves expanding economic opportunities and increasing access to these opportunities for sub-sectors and groups that lag behind. For individuals and people groups, it involves reducing the vulnerability of the poor and acceleration in human capital development.