Marcos reorganizes Economy and Development Council

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has issued an administrative order reorganizing the Economy and Development Council (ED Council), formerly known as the NEDA Board, and its committees.

Marcos said the reorganization – laid down through AO 37 – was meant “to ensure continuity in the integration, coordination and implementation of various socioeconomic policies and programs of the government.”

Marcos included the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs or OSAPIEA in the membership of the ED Council.

The SAPIEA will represent the Office of the President, including the Executive Secretary, in the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), Investment Coordination Committee, Infrastructure Committee and Social Development Committee (SDC).

The ED Council was established following the enactment of Republic Act 12145 in April, which reorganized the National Economic and Development Authority into a full-fledged Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDev).

The ED Council serves as the executive collegial body responsible for directing and providing overall policy direction on economic matters to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. It is chaired by the President, while the DEPDev secretary serves as its vice chair.

Meanwhile, the President has designated the secretary of the Department of Finance (DOF) as co-chairperson of the DBCC, along with the secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.

The DBCC reviews and approves the macroeconomic targets, revenue projections, borrowing level, aggregate budget level and expenditure priorities.

The SAPIEA has also been designated as chairperson of the Economic Development or EDCom, with the secretaries of DEPDev and the DOF as vice-chairpersons.

The President also added as new members of SDC the following: secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

Marcos included as members of the Tariff and Related Matters Committee the secretaries of the DAR and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed AO 37 on Aug. 13. It will take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.