NEDA draws up Filipino 2040 long-term development plan

MANILA, Philippines – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is preparing a medium-term development plan or long-term vision, aptly called Filipino 2040.

It will be evidence-based or a product of nationwide consultations as well as existing data and targets, such as the Philippine Development Plan, the Millenium Development Plan (MDG), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

SocioEconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the intention is to craft a medium-term plan based on the aspirations and dreams of the Filipino for a better life.

A nationwide survey and consultation has already started, while another group is doing technical work on various topics, themes that are amenable to policy change, like health, education, environment, innovations, and other social issues.

The plan will be for a period of 25 years since it will take several years and administrations to achieve what Balisacan calls “a modern nation.”

“No single administration can transform a poor nation into a rich nation. If we can sustain economic progress that we have achieved in the last three-to five years of over six percent average annual growth rate, we should be able to bring the country to the threshold of a modern or high-income country by 2040,” the economic planning chief said.

Without an evidence-based medium-term plan, the Philippines could slip to its anemic growth rate of between four to 4.5 percent, which is vulnerable to any external or domestic shocks.

“That means deepening reforms in all levels, including policy, governance, institutions, legislation, social programs, among others,” Balisacan said.

In fact, the initial collation of data from both the surveys as well as technical work could be the basis for the public to challenge the depth of aspiring candidates in the 2016 national elections.

The country’s electoral exercise has often been accused of being personality-driven rather than program-based.

He said the first draft would be used to engage further different groups to deepen the crating process. The first draft would not only embody the people’s aspirations but various scenarios, as well.

The draft will also be used to invite political leaders on a debate.

“We want our leaders and future leaders to know the evidence-based aspirations of the people and find out if they have programs, platforms to lead the people to realize their dreams, aspirations,” Balisacan said.

The idea is to take the debate to local and national levels through discussions, including use of traditional and social media.

“It creates a situation where the candidates tell us what they are going to do and not just telling us what their backgrounds are, or who their parents are. We want to know what they will do to fulfill the dreams/visions of these ordinary people, the beggar Juan, or middle income Pedro, even the well-to-do Maria,” he added.