Nakatakdang lusawin ng Senado ang National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) saka lumikha ng Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPD) bilang kapalit upang umakma sa planong pang-ekonomiya ng bansa sa pambansa at panglokal na polisiya.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Senador Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri na matagal ang hawak ng NEDA ang pagpaplano sa ating ekonomiya kaya napapanahon nang gawin itong regular na kagawaran upang bumuo ng pambansa at panglokal na planong pang-kaunlaran.
“For decades, the NEDA has been at the helm of our economic planning, doing its level best to avert us from economic headwinds and to keep us on course with the tailwinds,” ayon kay Zubiri sa kanyang sponsorship speech sa paghahain ng Senate Bill No. 2878, o ang Economy, Planning and Development Act.
“But economic growth cannot be the work of one agency alone. We need a whole-of-government follow-through on our economic plans,” ayon sa dating Senate President.
Layunin ng panukalang DEPD, itataas nito ang kasalukuyang papel ng NEDA sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng full authority at paninindigan bilang isang executive department.
Ayon kay Zubiri, kasalukuyang chairman ng Senate Economic Affairs Committee, na “this transformation will empower the DEPD to push for the implementation of economic policies across government agencies and engage with foreign stakeholders more effectively.”
“As the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, they will be in a better position to push for the implementation of their economic plans and policies – and they will be able to engage with other government agencies and offices, as well as foreign political actors, with the full standing and command of an executive department,” ayon kay Zubiri.
Tinukoy din niya ang kahalagahan sa pagpapalakas ng regional development bilang bahagi ng pinalawak na tungkulin ng DEPD.
“Development has to sprout from the ground up. It’s not wise, effective nor sustainable to draw up a big-picture plan without first considering what is happening on the ground,” giit niya.
“The establishment of the DEPD and its Regional Offices will be vital in this regard,” paliwanag ng senador.
Tinutugunan din ng panukala, ayon kay Zubiri, ang implikasyong pangpananalapi ng reorganization at tinitiyak sa publiko at stakeholders nasangkot sa panukala ang maliit na karagdagang gastusin.
“This measure is not creating a new agency. It simply reorganizes the NEDA and institutionalizes its expanded powers and functions,” paglilinaw niya.
“The reorganization is only expected to require a minimal addition of 170 new positions, amounting to P116 million,” paliwanag pa niya.
Magagawa ng pinalawak na tungkulin ng DEPD sa regional level ang pagsusuri ng project proposals, land use plans at iba pang development initiatives, na magiging angkop sa pambansang estratehiya sa ekonomiya.
Naniniwala si Zubiri na magkakaroon ng inclusive growth sa lahat ng bahagi ng Pilipinas sakaling maisabatas ang panukala.
“We have to anchor our economic plans with the reality of our regions and our people. By grounding our strategies in what is happening locally, we can create a more effective and inclusive economic growth plan,” ayon kay Zubiri.
Inilagay din ni Zubiri ang lilikhaing DEPD bilang isang kritikal na institusiyon sa pagpapanatili ng competitiveness ng bansa Southeast Asia, na mabilis na nagiging hub ng global investments.
“This is an opportune time for Southeast Asia, but we still have to fight for our seat at the table,” aniya.
“This is why we need the DEPD to lead the way for our economic growth,” ayon pa sa dating senate president.
“This reorganization puts us on a stronger footing, enabling the Philippines to be a dynamic force in Southeast Asia,” aniya pa. Ernie Reyes
