Following the release of the Philippine Development Report (PDR) 2023 to the public yesterday (January 31), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan stated that the goals of the PDP could be achieved by faithfully carrying out the Plan’s transformation agenda in 2024 and in the coming years.

Included in the agenda are the following strategies: a) accelerating digital transformation; b) improving connectivity; c) strengthening the interlinkages between the agricultural and industrial sectors with the services sector; d) establishing a dynamic innovation ecosystem; e) intensifying public-private partnerships; and f) enhancing the role of LGUs as partners in development.

 “We made significant strides in laying the groundwork during the first full year of the PDP. As we carry on with our work and programs in 2024, we hope that the PDR 2023 will serve as a valuable tool for policymakers, the private sector, and members of civil society to pursue the full implementation of the PDP. This report presents the lessons we have learned, and outlines plans of action to ensure we remain on track to meet our goals by 2028,” stated the government’s chief socioeconomic planner.

Having pinned down the takeaways from the various developments that occurred in 2023, the NEDA highlighted several key actions that must be carried out in the second year of the PDP’s rollout.

With inputs from various government agencies, the PDR identified the need to: enhance tax administration and enact revenue-generating measures to hit the country’s fiscal targets; aggressively promote trade and facilitate strategic investments in growth drivers while addressing underspending; ensure the availability, accessibility, and affordability of food; improve access to quality education and recover learning losses; build sustainable and well-planned communities through stronger collaboration among government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and the private sector; and enhance the digitalization of government processes to make goods and services more responsive and accessible to the public.

“We will heed the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the government to be swift and punctual in delivering services and implementing projects. We will work with all our colleagues in the government to accelerate the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan in order to sustain the momentum and solidify our gains,” stated Balisacan.

Before its public release, the PDR 2023 was presented to President Marcos and members of the Cabinet during the 13th NEDA Board meeting on January 26, 2024.

Read the full version of the Philippine Development Report 2023: pdp.neda.gov.ph/PDR-2023.

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