MANILA, Philippines- Nananatiling “on track” ang Philippine economy na makabalik sa high-growth trajectory nito gamit ang suporta ng ilang inisyatiba na ipinatupad ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“One year into the Marcos Presidency, the Philippine economy remains firmly on track as it returns to its high-growth norm, supported by a strong labor market performance and a downward-trending inflation that is on its way to reaching the government’s target,” ayon kay National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Inamin ni Balisacan na nang simulan ng Pangulo ang kanyang termino “under very challenging and unique circumstances” dala ng COVID-19 pandemic, at mahigpit na quarantine measures na ipinataw para pigilan ang paglaganap ng virus, “it caused the Philippine economy to contract by 9.5 percent in 2020.”
Tinuran pa ni Balisacan na ang “significant contraction came with a number of socioeconomic setbacks” kabilang na rito ang mataas na national debt, social at economic scarring pagdating sa learning losses, business closures, at mataas na unemployment rate.
“Recognizing the immediate issues at hand, the President crafted his 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, a list of priorities that would guide the policies, programs, and initiatives of his presidency,” ani Balisacan.
“The agenda not only focuses on pressing, short-term issues such as inflation, a tighter fiscal space, and socioeconomic scarring but also on priorities for the medium term to reinvigorate higher-quality job creation and accelerate poverty reduction in the next six years,” dagdag na wika nito.
Ayon kay Balisacan, ang mga prayoridad ng administrasyong Marcos ang susi ng paunang inisyatiba at output ng Economic Team kabilang na ang Medium-Term Fiscal Framework ng bansa , na naglalayong tiyakin ang alignment ng legislative agenda sa pagkamit ng fiscal targets; ang P5.268-trillion budget ngayong taon na nakatuon sa pagkilala sa socioeconomic priorities ng Pangulo; at ang Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, medium-term development blueprint ng bansa para maging epektibo ang socioeconomic transformation para sa masagana, inclusive, at resilient society.
“The further reopening of the economy revived consumption, allowing the country’s gross domestic product to expand by 7.7 percent in the third quarter of 2022, 7.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, and 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023,” ayon kay Balisacan.
Para sa full-year 2022, lumago ang Philippine economy ng 7.6, lumampas sa 6.5 hanggang 7.5% na target ng gobyerno.
“These indicators paint a promising picture of a sustained recovery for 2023,” ang wika ni Balisacan.
Layon ng pamahalaan na makamit ang 6% hanggang 7%
economic growth expansion ng taon.
Idinagdag pa nito na ang unemployment rate ay bumaba ng 4.5% “as of April” ngayong taon mula sa 5.7 % noong April 2022 habang ang inflation ay humina mula sa mataas na 8.7% noong Enero nga taong kasalukuyan at naging 6.1% nitong Mayo.
“Inflation is expected to further ease and settle within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target range by the end of the year,” ayon kay Balisacan.
Ayon pa rin kay Balisacan, lumikha si Pangulong Marcos ng isang “more open and enabling regulatory and investment policy environment” at ipinakita ang kanyang malalim na commitment na isulong ang “sound and cohesive policies” sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng gabinete na may mga miyembro na may kakayahan na unawain ang mga paghihigpit na kailangan paa tugunan at intindihin ang socioeconomic agenda ng Pangulo.
“The Philippines also further opened its economy to trade, investment, and competition with its accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP); creation of Green Lanes for Strategic Investments; amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Renewable Energy Act and the Build-Operate-Transfer Law; and changes to the NEDA Joint Venture Guidelines,” aniya pa rin.
Nauna rito, pinulong ni Pangulong Marcos ang National Innovation Council (NIC), tinukoy ang pangangailangan na maitatag ang dynamic innovation ecosystem para panatilihin ang mabilis na rapid economic growth at paghusayin ang kalidad ng buhay na pangmatagalan.
“Lastly, the NEDA Board, chaired by President Marcos, has been actively pushing for the rigorous assessment and swift approval of major projects to ensure their timely and effective implementation while upholding public interest,” ang wika ni Balisacan.
Siniguro naman aniya ng administrasyong Marcos na mananatili itong committed para tiyakin na ang mga mahihirap at vulnerable ay protektado mula sa economic shocks.
“Some of the initiatives implemented to ensure this include the provision of targeted transfers and assistance to those hardest hit by inflation; establishment of the Inter-agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook to monitor supply and demand conditions proactively for essential commodities and recommend timely policy interventions to manage inflation; approval of the Social Protection Floor to institutionalize basic social security guarantees; and ramped up rollout of the National Identification to have a more efficient and inclusive social protection system,” ayon sa ulat.
“Overall, despite the many challenges and headwinds it has faced, the Marcos Administration has successfully navigated its first full year in office but recognizes that much is yet to be done. Guided by the strategies it has formulated and the frameworks it has instituted, the government shall continue to work with the private sector and members of civil society so that the country may progressively attain its ambitious development targets,” ang litaniya ni Balisacan. Kris Jose
