SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 — The Philippine government is committed to enhancing critical infrastructure, promoting human and social development, and strengthening community resilience against environmental hazards to achieve the nation’s long-term vision of a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life for all Filipinos, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
During the 60th World Planning Congress (WPC) on Tuesday (September 10), NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan discussed how the Philippine government utilizes development planning as a strategic tool to advance the country’s collective vision for inclusive development, known as the Ambisyon Natin 2040.
“The Philippines stands at a critical juncture, with the opportunity to protect the gains made and to enhance the economy’s potential for rapid and inclusive growth toward the AmBisyon,” said Balisacan.
Highlighting the importance of regional development in his presentation, he noted that although the economy was adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, an increasing number of regions have recorded economic growth rates surpassing six percent, with major economic hubs experiencing growth rates exceeding seven percent between 2021 and 2023.
Balisacan highlighted several government’s strategies aimed at leveraging these positive gains and maintaining progress toward AmBisyon.
“First, building critical supporting infrastructure is a prerequisite to achieving sustainable and inclusive development; it is one of the most binding constraints to growth,” the government’s chief economic planner said.
He added that the strategies outlined in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 aim to promote inclusivity by connecting the country’s leading and lagging regions.
Balisacan also emphasized the importance of promoting human and social development by creating livable communities that provide individuals and families with access to food, healthcare, education, social protection, and quality employment opportunities.
“The government, in partnership with the private sector, is mobilizing resources to meet our people’s most pressing need for affordable housing. We must pay attention to safety, both from violence and crimes and natural disasters. In developing such communities, the government must improve and ensure accessibility to public services and that plans are well-integrated across various agencies,” Balisacan added.
The NEDA Secretary stated that communities and ecosystems must be resilient to environmental hazards and the rapidly changing climate.
To achieve this, Balisacan said, “Local government units’ disaster preparedness will be strengthened, helping communities identify priority interventions. Science-based approaches to land management and restoring degraded ecosystems will be employed to ensure that their capacity to support communities will be sustained. Lastly, the government will work with the private sector as we carry out a transition to a low-carbon economy in a manner that is efficient and appropriate to our people and economy’s development needs.”
Balisacan stated that various reforms, policies, and initiatives have been implemented to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sectors, aiming to expedite the country’s infrastructure program and introduce new technologies and innovations, particularly in the renewable energy and telecommunications sectors.
“Our goal is to create new growth hubs and economic centers beyond the capital region so that economic opportunities are more evenly distributed across the country. At the same time, we are committed to making our urban centers functional and resilient in the face of challenges like urbanization and natural disasters,” he said.
The International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP) led the international gathering in New Clark City, Tarlac.
The ISOCARP is a network of professional urban planners from over 90 countries. At the same time, the WPC is its annual main event that addresses the traditional urban planning issues faced by cities worldwide. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the event and the first to be held in the Philippines, along with the International Conference on New Cities: Planning New Regenerative Cities, the first in the world.
Also in attendance at the event were Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Chairperson Delfin N. Lorenzana, ISOCARP President Pietro Elisei, ISOCARP President-Elect Elisabeth Belpaire, Local Organizing Committee Chairperson Haydee Quintana Malubay, and Indonesian Association of Urban and Regional Planners (IAP) President Andy Simarmata.
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