EDITORIAL

PDP 2011-2016 Pursues
Distinct Development Strategy

The Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2011-2016, which contains the economic blueprint of the Aquino administration, has certain characteristics that distinguish it from previous medium-term national development plans.

Distinctly enough, the PDP 2011-2016 embodies public participation, inclusive growth, and President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s social contract with the people.

The National Economic and Develop-ment Authority (NEDA) said the people themselves participated in the formulation of the PDP 2011-2016 through their local government units, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

In Western Visayas, the NEDA 6 Knowledge and Management Center, Iloilo City said a regional consultation was held early this year to solicit inputs, feedback and comments for the Plan from sectoral groups in the region. Indeed, a one day consultation meeting on the PDP 2011 – 2016 was held in the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Livelihood and Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo.

NEDA said in an online press release that this is consistent with Memorandum Circular No. 3, which directed agency to coordinate the preparation of the medium-term plan in a consultative manner.

Drawn up to embody what President Aquino and his government want to do for the Filipino people in the next six years, the Plan has another distinct characteristic. It primarily seeks to achieve inclusive growth which creates massive employment opportunities and significantly reduces poverty by meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The pursuit of this aim is anchored on the Plan’s overarching theme of good governance and anti-corruption.

The key targets for inclusive growth in the PDP 2011-2016 are the following: reduction of poverty incidence to 16.6 percent in 2015 from 33.1 percent in 1991; employment creation at an annual average of one (1) million jobs; maintaining un-employment rate at 6.8 – 7.2 percent; investment-to-Gross Domestic Product ratio of 22 percent by 2016; 100 percent participation of school-age children in primary education; 1:1 ratio of girls to boys in primary education and 50 percent share of women in non-agricultural wage employment; 26.7 under-five mortality per 1,000 live births; 52 maternal mortality per 1,000 live births; and, zero prevalence of malaria and tuberculosis.

NEDA said that the PDP 2011-2016 also translates the President’s 16-point "Social Contract with the Filipino People" into effective, efficient and inclusive interventions that will guide government agencies including the program on public-private partnership.

The main chapters of PDP 2011-2016 are: Macroeconomic Policy; Competitive Industry and Services Sectors; Competitive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries Sector; Accelerating Infrastructure Development; Towards a Dynamic and Resilient Financial System; Good Gover-nance and the Rule of Law; Social Development; Peace and Security; and, Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation of the Environment and Natural Resources Towards Sustainable Development.

NEDA 6 said that a medium-term regional development plan is being drawn up in line with the PDP 2011-2016.

The objectives and targets in the PDP 2011 - 2016 will only be realized with the cooperation of the people and implementation is done with honesty and integrity. (PNA) / MP