NEDA CRAFTS 2018 SOCIOECONOMIC REPORT, CITES ACHIEVEMENTS

MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) presented on Monday an overview of the government’s accomplishments in 2018, being the oversight agency for the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022.

In its presentation of the initial results from the Socioeconomic Report (SER) 2018, a progress report on the PDP, NEDA said the achievements of the government two years into the PDP’s implementation are a follow-through of the administration’s promise of putting in place critical and broad-based reforms.

“Filipinos are expected to benefit from these reform measures. For many sectors, the groundwork for change was initiated in 2017. The impact of programs and projects implemented in 2018 will be better felt this year,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said.

Government achievements in the previous year include the enactment of the PhilSys Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act under the “Malasakit” pillar.

The 11th Regular Foreign Investment Negative List (FINL); entry of the third TelCo player; First 1,000 Days Act; Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education; and the Rice Tariffication Act all fall under the “Pagbabago” pillar. 

Reforms initiated under the “Patuloy na Pag-unlad” pillar are the restructuring of the Commission on Population (now Commission on Population and Development) and the Balik Scientist Law.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act; Personal Property Security Act; and Administrative Order No. 13, series 2018, are under supporting strategies. Meanwhile, the recently enforced Bangsamoro Organic Law and other environment laws for sustainable tourism fall under bedrock strategies of the PDP.

“While our GDP growth for 2018 was slightly below target, critical reforms were put in place, which will surely strengthen economic and financial inclusion, make the delivery of public services more efficient, facilitate ease of doing business, and encourage investments,” Pernia said.

“These reforms will help ensure that the economy will stay on a higher growth trajectory over the medium term and beyond,” he added.

Pernia also said that NEDA is currently in the process of completing the SER 2018. The report reflects the administration’s commitments: inclusive growth, a high trust and resilient society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy.

The final report will be published around March 2019.