May 22, 2025 – The reorganization of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the newly established Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) marks a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of stronger and more future-ready economic governance, according to DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan during the ceremonial presentation of the signed law legislating DEPDev’s charter on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12145, or the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, on April 10, 2025. This landmark legislation strengthens the agency’s mandate, institutional independence, and capacity to serve as the executive branch’s primary body for economic policy, planning, coordination, and monitoring.
“We thank President Marcos, Jr. and our partners in Congress for enacting this vital reform. With DEPDev now institutionalized, we are building a more coordinated, resilient, and forward-looking system of economic governance—one that supports sustained and inclusive growth and brings us closer to our long-term vision of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat,” said Balisacan.
NEDA’s transformation into DEPDev is especially significant as it coincides with the institution’s 90th founding anniversary, with the National Economic Council, the country’s first economic planning body, established in 1935. This legacy underscores the Philippines’ long-standing commitment to strategic development planning.
The law fulfills Section 9 of Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which authorizes Congress to establish an independent economic and planning agency headed by the President and tasked with implementing continuing integrated and coordinated programs and policies for national development.
Prior to its reorganization, NEDA carried out its policy advisory and coordination functions under Executive Order No. 230 (s.1987) as a technical and research body to the NEDA Board, chaired by the President.
Over the years, NEDA’s role has significantly expanded, taking on oversight or membership in over 100 interagency bodies and councils that address a wide range of socioeconomic issues. The agency has also served as the secretariat for several high-level policymaking and advisory bodies, including the NEDA Board and its subcommittees, the Regional Development Councils, the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, the National Innovation Council, and the Economic Development Group.
This evolution highlighted the need for a stronger institutional framework. The proposal to amend NEDA’s charter was first introduced in Congress in 2009. Now, as a full-fledged executive department, DEPDev is better equipped to ensure policy coherence, continuity, and long-term strategic planning.
The DEPDev’s expanded mandate includes:
– Aligning national and regional development plans;
– Integrating long-term strategies into the budgeting process;
– Strengthening planning and policymaking capacities across government; and
– Conducting futures thinking and scenario planning to anticipate technological, economic, and global shifts.
Through long-term strategic policymaking, the agency will ensure the sustainability of economic progress and the resilience of the nation’s development trajectory, despite economic disruptions and changes in political administration.
Another key reform under RA No. 12145 is the institutionalization of the Planning Call, which strengthens the link between planning, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). This mechanism introduces clear standards, guidelines, and accountability measures to ensure that public resources are channeled toward high-impact, priority programs and projects.
The law also outlines DEPDev’s core responsibilities, including:
– Formulating the country’s long-term vision and development framework;
– Developing national and regional development plans and reports;
– Implementing public and regional investment programs;
– Producing transparency and accountability reports;
– Establishing a medium-term national evaluation agenda;
– Preparing an Inter-Generational Report to guide sustainable development;
“The establishment of DEPDev ensures that our development strategies are not only forward-looking but also resilient and inclusive. It bridges past and future policies to secure a stable and upward development path for all Filipinos,” Balisacan emphasized.
The DEPDev is currently drafting the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations, which are scheduled for release by June 26, 2025, as mandated by the law.
The department maintains its 16 regional offices (including DEPDev Negros Island Region) and eight attached agencies:
– Commission on Population and Development
– Development Academy of the Philippines
– Philippine Institute for Development Studies
– Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency
– Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute
– Philippine Statistics Authority
– Public-Private Partnership Center
– Tariff Commission
These agencies shall continue contributing to DEPDev’s mission of fostering sound, inclusive, and sustainable economic development.
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