Think tank backs call for area-based plans

La Liga Policy Institute has expressed support for area-based planning pushed by Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr. to complement the country’s 2011-2016 Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP).

The MTPDP is the country’s blueprint for broad-based economic programs until 2016. It incorporates inputs from government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, business groups, civil society groups, the academe and LGUs.

In a statement, La Liga managing director Roland Cabigas said that local government units (LGUs) should craft their respective development plans with a focus on achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the local level.

Cabigas said it was crucial to area-based planning that local MDG targets were identified through the LGU cluster approach. This, he said, allows resource-poor LGUs to pool their resources to implement programs aimed at eradicating poverty.

The La Liga officials’ call echoes that of Paderanga.

“We believe in the appropriateness of area plans, as these cross regional or local borders. These plans are based on natural resource features or economic units, and not on political boundaries. This will be effective in identifying actual programs and projects that will best address the needs of the area,” Paderanga said in a statement.