January 22nd, 2025
House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd district), principal author of bills creating an independent economic planning department in the 17th, 18th, and 19th Congresses, has released the following statement on the bicameral approval of the creation of the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDEV):
Finally, after almost 40 years, Congress has completed the Constitution’s mandate of creating and independent economic planning agency with the stature of a full Cabinet department. Article XII, Section 9 of the Constitution specifically entrusted Congress with this responsibility. Indeed, the 1987 Constitution is the only constitution in the world which gave the national legislature this specific task.
The Constitution is very clear that NEDA filling this role is only temporary.
The need for independent economic analysis has deep roots in our modern history. Independence, however, has not been defined in our laws.
With the imminent enactment of the DEPDEV bill, we now have a standing definition for the Department’s independence. It is independent to provide “impartial, objective, and evidence-based analyses and recommendations for the socio-economic betterment of the nation.” Operationally, that means it shall always be allowed to have its say in the governance of our economy.
As former Chair of the Regional Development Council of Bicol for nine years, and as Chair of the Luzon Area Development Coordinating Council, I also sought to institutionalize the RDCs as an instrument of national development. We also clarified the manner of electing RDC Chairs, which, at this point, has only been established under Executive Order No. 325.
The Committees under NEDA are now also institutionalized. The SubCommittee on Inflation Monitoring has also been institutionalized to ensure that the government has a handle on prices.
I also insisted on devoting resources for Futures Thinking – or coming up with scenarios for the country’s future and crafting strategies to navigate these scenarios. The best among our neighbors have invested heavily in imagining what the future holds, and how they can be ready.
An independent economic planning department means while we may differ politically, our decisions will be based on facts, evidence, and a long-term view of the country’s prospects.