EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill-No.71.02_
EXPLANATORY NOTE

In today’s very complex, modem and rapid-changing world, planning becomes very
important for a country to be able to adapt quickly. This highlights the need for a lead Agency
or Department to be able to plan and implement long-term, continuing, integrated, and
coordinated programs and policies for national development.

Hence this bill which seeks to transform NEDA in a Department which will be the lead
integrator of economic development programs and policies of the govemment. This
Department will also be the one to implement continuing, integrated, and coordinated policies,
plans, and programs, for an equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; a
Sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit
of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all

This bill also implements Section 9, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which
provides that the Congress may establish an independent economic and planning agency
headed by the President of the Philippines, which shall, after consultations with the appropriate
public agencies, various private sectors, and local government units, recommend to Congress,
and implement continuing integrated and coordinated programs and policies for national
development.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested,

RUFUS B, RODRIGUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No. 7202

AN ACT

STRENGTHENING THE CULTURE OF DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IN THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS,
AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS, REPEALING FOR THE
PURPOSE EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 230 SERIES OF 1987, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“REORGANZING THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY", AND
BOOK V, TITLE ll, SUBTITLE C, CHAPTERS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.
292 SERIES OF 1987 ALSO KNOWN AS THE "ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987", AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

CHAPTER!
CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

ARTICLE!
TITLE AND POLICY

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Strengthening the Culture of
Development Planning Act”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. - The State shall adopt and implement
continuing, integrated, and coordinated policies, plans, and programs, for an equitable
distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods
and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding
productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all

To this end, it is recognized that the cycle of formulation, implementation, monitoring
and evaluation of policies, plans and programs is a vital process that calls for the participation
of the public and private sectors at the national and subnational levels; that major programs
and projects of different government agencies must be properly reviewed by and coordinated
with a national government agency to ensure their consistency with established national and
subnational priorities; and that the linkage between development planning, programming and
budgeting shall be of highest priority in planning and budgeting activities. An economic and
planning agency is needed to direct, coordinate, and monitor the country's planning cycle as
well as investment programming processes to ensure consistency of policies, plans, programs
and projects for national and subnational development and the efficient and sustainable use
of the nation's resources

The State recognizes that, pursuant to the Section 9, Article XII of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, the Congress may establish an independent economic and planning agency
headed by the President of the Philippines, which shall, after consultations with the appropriate
public agencies, various private sectors, and local government units, recommend to Congress,
and implement continuing integrated and coordinated programs and policies for national
development.


ARTICLE II
THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

SEC. 3. The Department of Economics and Development Planning. - There is hereby created
the Department of Economics and Development Planning, the country's economic and
planning agency, which shall hereafter be referred to as DEDP.

SEC. 4. Mandate of DEDP. - DEDP shall be the country's primary agency that shall direct he
government's planning and investment programming processes towards sustainable and
inclusive economic growth; equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; and
increased productivity. As such, it shall formulate the country's continuing, integrated, and
coordinated policies, plans, and programs for development; foster a culture of planning across
all government organizations; ensure the vertical and horizontal alignment and coherence of
national and subnational policies, plans, programs, and projects; ensure alignment of
appropriations for programs with national and subnational development plans towards optimal
use of financial resources; and oversee the country's public investment program.

SEC. 5. The Secretary of Economics and Development Planning. — DEDP shall be headed by
the Secretary of Economics and Development Planning, hereafter referred to as the Secretary.

The Secretary, who shall serve as the country’s Chief Economist, shall have the
following minimum qualifications: a natural-bomn citizen and resident of the Philippines; of good
moral character; of recognized probity and independence; must have distinguished
himself/herself professionally in public, civic, or academic service in the field of economics;
must have been in the active practice of his/her profession for at least ten years; and must not
have been a candidate for any elective national or local office in the immediately preceding
elections, whether regular or special.

SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of the Secretary of Economics and Development Planning. —
The Secretary shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) As the country's Chief Economist, advise the President on the promulgation of
executive or administrative orders and other issuances, and the formulation of
regulatory and legislative proposals, pertaining to matters of national economic and
social development;

(b) As the country's Chief Economist, render a report to the President on the status of
implementation of national and subnational plans as inputs to the President's state of
the nation address;

(c) Serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Economics and Development Planning Council;

(d) Lead futures conversations in the public sector on the latest trends, strategic issues,
and key developments and their relevant implications for the country to bolster
anticipatory capabilities within and between goverment agencies;

(e) Direct the conduct of research on development matters, attend to evaluation results
and to current economic information and data so that broad policies, plans and relevant
programs can be formulated on a sound analysis;

(f) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of DEDP;

(g) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical operations
of DEDP, in accordance with the programs of the government;

(h) Promulgate such rules and regulations, and exercise such other powers as may be
required to implement the objectives of this Act; and

()) Perform such other functions as may be provided by law or as may be assigned by the
President.

SEC. 7. The Office of the Secretary of Economics and Development Planning. - The Office of
the Secretary of Economics and Development Planning shall consist of at least four (4)
Undersecretaries and eight (8) Assistant Secretaries.


The Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries shall be appointed by the President,
upon recommendation of the Secretary, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the
Career Executive Service Board. The Secretary shall have the flexibility to determine the
respective assignments of the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries and to reorganize
DEDP, depending on DEDP's strategic directions and/or on emerging development trends
affecting the country’s economy. As the duties and responsibilities of DEDP are expanded,
the number of undersecretaries and assistant secretaries may be increased as deemed
necessary

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of DEDP. - In accordance with Chapter |, Article III of this Act,
DEDP shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Visioning and Plan Formulation;

(b) Harmonization of Plans;

(©) Investment Programming;

(d) Linkage of Planning with Budgeting;

(€) Policy Advisory;

(f) Project Appraisal;

(g) Monitoring and Assessment;

(h) Evaluation;

(i) Independent Review;

(). Research;

(k) Knowledge Management and Communication;

(l) Transparency and Accountability Reports;

(m) Capacity Building of Development Planners;

(n) Economic and Financial Literacy;

(0) Innovation and Futures Thinking; and

(p) Secretariat Support to the Council

SEC. 9. Stakeholder Engagement. - In the discharge of these functions, DEDP shall
undertake consultations with appropriate public agencies, civil society organizations, non-
government organizations, people's organizations, academe, private sector, and local
government units to incorporate their priority needs in the formulation of policies, plans,
Programs and projects.

SEC. 10. Organization of DEDP. - DEDP shall consist of the Office of the Secretary, the
Offices of the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, technical and sectoral staffs,
operations support staffs, and regional offices.

SEC, 11. Offices and Staff. - DEDP shall be composed of the following technical and sectoral
staffs, administrative and support staffs, and regional offices
(a) Macroeconomics Staff,
(b) Trade, Services, and Industry Staff;
(©) Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment Staff;
(d) Governance Staff;
(e) Social Development Staff;
(f) Strategic Foresight and Futures Staff;
(g) Innovation Staff;
(h) Public Investment Staff,
(i) Social Infrastructure Staff;
() Connectivity Infrastructure Staff;
(k) Spatial Planning and Regional Development Staff,
()) Program Evaluation Staff
(m) (m)Project Monitoring Staff;
(n) Knowledge Management and Communication Staff,
(0) Development Planning Training Staff:


(p) Administrative Staff;

(q) Human Resource Development Staff;

(1) Financial Planning and Management Staff;

(s) Information and Communications Technology Staff;

(t) Legal Staff;

(u) Internal Audit Service;

(v) Legislative Liaison Office; and

(w) Regional Offices in all the administrative regions of the country, except those with
planning offices created by law.

The Secretary of Economics and Development Planning shall recommend to the
Department of Budget and Management for approval, the creation of additional offices,
Positions, or staffing modifications as may be necessary.

The organizational structure and staffing, as necessary, shall be submitted by DEDP
to the Department of Budget and Management for review and approval. It shall adopt a position
classification and compensation structure based on job evaluation studies, talent retention
strategies, and wage surveys.

SEC. 12. DEDP Regional Offices. - The DEDP Regional Offices, hereafter referred to as
DROs, shall have the following functions

(2) Ensure that regional and local development priorities are integrated in the national and
subnational plans;

(b) Ensure the alignment of the provincial development and physical framework and the
comprehensive development plans of highly urbanized cities and independent
component cities with the national and regional development plans;

(©) Oversee the integration of plans and programs of regional agencies, state universities
and colleges (SUCs), special development bodies, and local government units (LGUs)
into the regional and national plans. The DROs shall provide assistance to regional
line agencies, LGUs, SUCs, and special development bodies in identifying and
developing programs and projects;

(d) Evaluate and review proposed policies, land use plans, programs and projects in the
region;

(e) Monitor and evaluate the implementation of plans, policies, programs and projects;

(f) Provide technical and secretariat support to their respective Regional Development
Councils;

(g) Undertake research and ensure knowledge utilization for regional development and
productivity; and

(h) Provide technical assistance to development partners in the region in accordance with
DEDP's functions

SEC. 13, Attached Agencies, - The agencies currently attached to the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) shall hereafter be attached to DEDP and shall continue to
operate and function in accordance with their respective charters, laws, or orders creating
them, except as otherwise provided in this Act, the Administrative Code of 1987, and
subsequent laws.
The following agencies shall be attached to DEDP for policy and program coordination
purposes:
(a) Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) created pursuant to Presidential
Decree 1201 dated September 26, 197;
(b) Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) created
pursuant to Executive Order 635, series of 1980;
(c) Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) created pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625;
(d) Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI) created pursuant to
Republic Act No. 10625; and


(e) Commission on Population and Development (POPDEVCOM) created pursuant to
Republic Act No. 6365 dated August 15, 1971

The following agencies shall be attached to DEDP for administrative purposes only:
(@) Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines (PPPC) created pursuant to
Executive Order No. 8, series of 2010 as amended by Executive Order No. 136, series
of 2013; and
(b) Tariff Commission (TC) created pursuant to Republic Act No. 10863.

SEC. 14, Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. - DEDP shall serve as the
principal secretariat of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC),
pursuant to Republic Act No. 7640, otherwise known as "An Act Constituting the Legislative-
Executive Development Advisory Council’. As principal secretariat, DEDP shall oversee and
coordinate the provision of overall technical and administrative support to the LEDAC, and
shall have the following duties and responsibilities under Article Ill Section 2 of the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7640:

(@) Provide technical and administrative support to the Council and its sub-committees, if

any;

(b) Determine and prepare the agenda for and the minutes of Council Meetings;

(c) Serve as venue for the initial processing/discussion to the work of the Council;

(d) Receive and prepare communications pertinent to the work of the Council;

() Manage and maintain the official records of the Council;

(f) Prepare the annual budget of the Council;

(g) Prepare reports as required by the Council; and

(h) Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Council.

ARTICLE III
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF DEDP

‘SUB-TITLE I - VISIONING AND PLAN FORMULATION

SEC. 15. Visioning. - DEDP shall formulate a long-term vision, hereafter referred to as the
Vision, that embodies the long-term aspirations of all Filipinos. It shall be data-driven and
evidence-based, encompassing all dimensions of development - economic, social, and
environmental. The Vision shall undergo a review every ten (10) years in consideration of
changing preferences and aspirations.

SEC. 16. Long-term Development Framework. - DEDP shall formulate the long-term
development framework, hereafter referred to as the Framework. The Framework is a high-
level and broad strategy spanning twenty-five (25) years that shall guide the nation towards
sustainable growth and development and the attainment of the Vision. It shall serve as a tool
to coordinate, guide, and inform the preparation and consideration of future, more detailed
national and subnational development plans, national and subnational public investment
programs, and sectoral and inter-sectoral plans and programs. It shall embody the
development goals and milestones to serve as basis for the overall direction of goverment
policies, programs, and projects across political administrations

SEC. 17. Physical Planning Framework. - DEDP shall formulate the National Framework for
Physical Planning (NFPP), which shall provide policies and principles to achieve efficient
settlement, production, service delivery systems, and sustainable use of land and other
Physical resources in the country. At the subnational level, the DROs, in consultation with their
respective Regional Development Councils, shall formulate the Regional Spatial and Physical
Framework (RSPF) spanning twenty-five (25) years. The RSPF shall define the objectives and
indicative uses of land and the physical resources in the region


The NFPP and RSPF shall serve as the main reference documents in the preparation
of the provincial development and physical framework plans and land use plans of cities and
municipalities.

The NFPP and RSPF shall undergo a review every ten (10) years in consideration of
physical changes, economic and demographic trends, as well as climate projections.

SEC. 18. Planning Call. - DEDP shall issue a Planning Call, providing the standards and
Quidelines for the preparation of the national and subnational development plans, and national
and subnational public investment programs. Within one (1) month from the approval of the
Philippine Development Plan by the Council, national government agencies shall submit to
DEDP their respective short-term development plans and investment programs.

SEC. 19. Philippine Development Plan and Regional Development Plans. - DEDP, in
consultation with public agencies, civil society organizations, non-government organizations,
people's organizations, academe, private sector, and local goverment units, shall formulate
within six (6) months from the assumption of office of the President a national economic and
development blueprint, known as the Philippine Development Plan, hereafter referred to as
the PDP, which shall be anchored on the Framework. The PDP shall set forth measurable set
of goals and objectives with corresponding strategies, in terms of policies, programs and
projects, that shall be the basis for each political administration's pursuit of its economic and
development agenda. At the subnational level, this shall be known as the Regional
Development Plan, hereafter referred to as the RDP, which shall be formulated by the DROs
within six (6) months from the assumption of office of the President, in consultation with public
agencies, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, people's organizations,
the academe, the private sector, and local government units. The RDP shall be aligned with
the PDP, defining the region's development direction.

The PDP and the RDPs shall undergo a midterm review and updating in consideration
of accomplishments, and emerging trends and developments.

SEC. 20. Coordination with Autonomous and Administrative Regions. - DEDP shall ensure
effective coordination with autonomous and administrative regions that have separate
planning offices in the formulation of the PDP and in the conduct of other relevant planning
activities affecting said regions.

SUB-TITLE II - HARMONIZATION OF PLANS

SEC. 21. Harmonization of Plans. — DEDP shall direct the govemment's planning cycle to
ensure the harmonization and coherence of national, subnational, sectoral, and spatial plans
and programs by prescribing standards, guidelines, and compliance and accountability
mechanisms. Moreover, DEDP shall review the short-term development plans of agencies as
stipulated in Section 18 of this Act in order to recommend appropriate action.

‘SUB-TITLE Ill - INVESTMENT PROGRAMMING

SEC. 22. Investment Programming. - DEDP shall direct and oversee the government's
investment programming process to ensure that the plans are translated into programs and
projects by prescribing standards and guidelines, as well as compliance and accountability
mechanisms, especially considering the results of relevant evaluation studies and conforming
to the NFPP and RSPF as stipulated in Section 17 of this Act

SEC. 23. Public Investment Program and Regional Development investment Program. —
DEDP, in consultation with public agencies, shall formulate the Public Investment Program,
hereafter referred to as the PIP, which shall identify the priority programs, activities, and
projects (PAPs) that are responsive to the sectoral goals and outcomes of the PDP, for
implementation through national government funds or the General Appropriations Act (GAA),


Official Development Assistance (ODA), Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Joint Venture (JV),
and other viable implementation and financing options. At the subnational level, this shall be
known as the Regional Development Investment Program, hereafter referred to as the RDIP,
which shall be formulated by the DROs in consultation with their respective Regional
Development Councils.

SUB-TITLE IV - LINKAGE OF PLANNING WITH BUDGETING

‘SEC, 24, Linkage of Planning with Budgeting. — DEDP shall recommend to the Development
Budget Coordination Committee the priorities for budget expenditure policies including
sectoral and regional allocations. Together with the Department of Budget and Management
and other relevant goverment oversight agencies, DEDP shall ensure that the annual and
multi-year appropriations for programs and projects are aligned with the development
strategies in the PDP and RDPs.

SUB-TITLE V —- POLICY ADVISORY

SEC. 25. Policy Advisory. - DEDP shall undertake policy reviews to provide objective,
evidence-based, critical analyses of development issues and policy alternatives and report
findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress of the Philippines, or the
Economics and Development Planning Council, as appropriate.

SUB-TITLE Vi - PROJECT APPRAISAL

SEC. 26. Project appraisal. - DEDP shall appraise proposed programs and projects as
provided by existing laws and regulations, and as may be determined by the Economics and
Development Planning Council in terms of economic and societal benefits and viability. DEDP
shall adopt and implement appropriate evaluation measures and criteria to determine the
viability of programs and projects. Only programs and projects that have been found viable by
DEDP shall be endorsed to the Economics and Development Planning Council through the
appropriate inter-agency committee.

SUB-TITLE Vil - MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT

SEC. 27. Monitoring and Assessment. - DEDP shall monitor and assess the progress of
implementation of priority national and subnational programs and projects, as defined by the
Council, with respect to physical and financial performance, among others. DEDP shall also
identify implementation bottlenecks and facilitate resolution of problems. The Department of
the Interior and Local Government shall complement the monitoring, reporting, and facilitation
of programs and projects at the sub-regional level

Moreover, DEDP shall determine the continued viability of national programs or
projects and recommend to the Council corresponding measures.

SEC. 28. Philippine Development Report and Regional Development Reports. ~ DEDP and
its Regional Offices shall formulate annually the Philippine Development Report (PDR) and
Regional Development Reports (RDRs). The POR and RDRs shall monitor the implementation
of the PDP and RDPs, respectively. They shall serve as inputs to policy and decision makers
in the formulation of policies, budgeting, and implementation of programs and projects. To this
end, public agencies shall submit to DEDP their latest data and information pertaining to the
goals, policies, and strategies as specified in the PDP.

SEC. 29. ODA Portfolio Review. - DEDP shall review the status of all projects funded by ODA
pursuant to Republic Act No. 8182


‘SUB-TITLE Vill — EVALUATION

SEC. 30, Evaluation. - DEDP shall formulate a medium-term national evaluation agenda to
assess the impact and outcomes of programs and projects. It shall oversee the conduct of
evaluation studies consistent with the agenda, in support of good govemance, transparency,
accountability, and evidence-based decision making

SUB-TITLE IX - INDEPENDENT REVIEW

SEC. 31, Independent Review. — In the course of its monitoring and assessment of programs
and projects, DEDP may independently review and evaluate facts and circumstances as a
means of determining whether sufficient cause exists to initiate appropriate legal action, in
which case, a report shall be prepared and referred to the proper agency or body,

SUB-TITLE X - RESEARCH

SEC. 32. Research. — DEDP shall conduct research, special surveys and related studies to
inform the formulation of policies and plans, and the design of programs and projects. DEDP
shall establish a Development Research Program so that broad policies, plans and relevant
programs can be formulated on a sound analysis of data and evidence.

SUB-TITLE XI - KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

SEC. 33. Knowledge Management and Communication. - DEDP shall develop and maintain
knowledge management systems, applications, and tools for timely and effective
dissemination, accessibility, and comprehensibility of information and knowledge on
economics and development planning and policy issues. It shall develop and sustain
communication and stakeholder engagement platforms towards well-informed and cost-
effective public and private sector participation in the development process.

SUB-TITLE XII - TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS.

SEC. 34. Transparency and Accountability Reports. — Within the first quarter of every year,
DEDP shall submit a report to the President, Cabinet, Congress, and the Filipino people on
the economic performance of the country. The report shall include the status and the directions
of the fiscal and monetary policies of the government in coordination with BSP, the Department
of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management; macroeconomic outlook and
labor market prospects; and other relevant information that may be requested, for purposes
of transparency and accountability

SEC. 35. Inter-generational Report. - DEDP shall submit an Inter-Generational Report (IGR)
to the President and Congress every six (6) years. The IGR shall be an assessment of the
long-term sustainability of existing government policies over the next 25 years, taking into
account projected demographic, environmental and other changes.

SUB-TITLE XIll — CAPACITY BUILDING OF DEVELOPMENT PLANNERS:

SEC. 36. Capacity Building of Development Planners. - DEDP shall establish and implement
a capacity building prop-am on development planning for national and local planners to build,
strengthen and continually update the technical competencies of development planners in the
country, in coordination with appropriate institutions including state universities and colleges,
subject to accreditation procedures. The capacity building program shall also serve as the
platform for wider dissemination of the country's vision, development plans, policies, and
programs.


SEC. 37. Technical Assistance to Development Planners. - DEDP shall provide technical
assistance to the local government units on how to localize national development strategies,
particularly in planning and investment programming to ensure alignment of local development
plans and strategies with the PDP and RDP.

SUB-TITLE XIV - ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL LITERACY

SEC. 38. Economic and Financial Literacy. - DEDP shall lead knowledge-expanding activities
‘on economic and financial literacy in collaboration with government agencies and
instrumentalities, including local government units, government-owned and controlled
corporations (GOCCs) and educational institutions, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10922 or the
Economic and Financial Literacy Act.

SUB-TITLE XV — INNOVATION AND FUTURES THINKING

SEC. 39. Innovation. — DEDP shall provide secretariat support, and prepare and recommend
priorities, policies, programs, projects, strategies, and other outputs to the National Innovation
Council to realize the country's strategic vision for innovation, pursuant to Republic Act No.
41293 or the Philippine Innovation Act.

SEC. 40. Futures Thinking. - DEDP shall continually undertake scenario planning exercises,
anticipating future trends or discontinuities, and recommend responsive measures to the
President and Congress, as appropriate

SEC. 41. Foresight Tools. - DEDP shall employ or develop as circumstances warrant foresight
tools to deal with emergent trends, understand plausible future states and craft corresponding
strategies, and monitor relevant indicators of anticipated futures.

SUB-TITLE XVI - TECHNICAL AND SECRETARIAT SUPPORT

SEC. 42. Technical and Secretariat Support. - DEDP shall serve as the Secretariat to the
Economics and Development Planning Council and its Committees, the Regional
Development Councils, and the National Innovation Council. In this capacity, DEDP shall
ensure that all policies, programs and projects approved by these bodies are strictly aligned
with the PDP and ROP. As Secretariat, it shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Provide technical and administrative support;

(b) Determine and prepare the agenda;

(c) Prepare the minutes of the meeting;

(d) Manage and maintain the official records; and

(e) Perform other duties as may be assigned by the said bodies.

Furthermore, DEDP shall provide technical inputs, review, appraisal, or evaluation as
applicable, for all programs and projects as defined by existing and subsequent laws, or those
which may be defined by the Council, before these programs and projects are endorsed to the
Council for approval. At the subnational level, DEDP Regional Offices shall provide prior
technical inputs, review, appraisal, or evaluation for endorsement of programs and projects to
Regional Development Councils for approval

DEDP shall also provide advisory services to these bodies.

CHAPTER 2
THE ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES OF
THE COUNCIL

ARTICLE!
THE ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL


‘SEC, 43, The Economics and Development Planning Council. — There shall be established an
Economics and Development Planning Council, headed by the President, hereafter referred
tos the Council, as the executive collegial body responsible for directing and providing overall
policy direction on economic, financial, social and environmental matters to achieve inclusive
and sustained economic growth

SEC. 44, Composition of the Council. - The Council shall be composed of the following:
(a) The President of the Philippines as Chairperson;
(b) Secretary of Economics and Development Planning as Vice-Chairperson;
(0) Principals of the agencies chairing the Committees of the Council;
(d) Chairperson of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines; and
(e) Govemor of the BSP, as a resource institution.
The President may, however, revise the membership of the Council whenever the
same is deemed necessary for the effective performance of the Council's function.
All members of the Council, except the Governor of the BSP, are voting members.
The presence of a majority of all members of the Council shall constitute a quorum,
The Council may request inputs from the private sector.

SEC. 45. Powers and Functions of the Council. - The Council shall have the following powers
and funetions:

(a) Direct the formulation and implementation of policies, plans, and programs that would
promote economic development and address development concems of national
importance;

(b) Approve the Philippine Development Plan, Public Investment Program, and their
respective midterm updates;

(c) Approve the level of annual government expenditures, as well as projections, forecast,
resource requirement, and the ceiling of government spending for social and economic
development, national defense, govemment debt service, and the proper allocation of
expenditures for each development activity between current operating expenditures
and capital outlay;

(d) Approve the level of expenditure program of national government agencies by region,
in accordance with the approved RDPs and RDIPs;

(e) Define cost threshold and other criteria for priority programs and projects that shall
require Council approval, unless already provided by existing laws, rules and
regulations;

() Approve projects, programs, and plans, as endorsed by DEDP, as required under
existing laws, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances;

(g) Initiate the formulation of proposals for the enactment of laws that may be necessary
for the integration and implementation of economic and development policies, plans
and programs or any of their component parts;

(h) Issue rules and regulations necessary for the effective discharge of the powers and
functions vested on the Council; and

(i) Direct the reorganization, or establishment of Committees of the Council, including the
modification of their respective membership, structures, powers, and functions.

SEC. 46, Meetings. - The Council shall meet at least once every quarter. A special meeting
of the Council may be convened by the President to address urgent concems, or emergencies,
such as natural disasters, calamities, or other extraordinary circumstances which would affect
the economy or and national development.

DEDP shall maintain and preserve a complete record of the proceedings and
deliberations of the Council, including the recording and transcripts, either in their original form,
or in any secured format made available by existing technology such as but not limited to
digital formatting


SEC. 47. Full Disclosure Rule. — In addition to the requirements of Republic Act No. 6713,
otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and
Employees, any member of the Council with personal and pecuniary interest in any matter in
the agenda of the Council shall disclose the interest to the Council and shall withdraw from
the meeting when the matter is taken up. The decision taken on the matter shall be made
public. The minutes shall reflect the disclosure made and the retirement of the member
concerned from the meeting

ARTICLE II
COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL

SEC. 48. Committees of the Council. — The Council shall have committees that shall act as its
primary advisory bodies

These Committees shall be the main coordinating mechanism that ensures that the
policy environment is conducive to the promotion of rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic
growth that raises the quality of life for all

The President shall designate the respective Chairpersons of the Committees.

DEDP shall serve as the Secretariat for all Committees, unless otherwise provided in
this Act. The Council may create new committees, modify or abolish existing ones in respect
to their structures, composition, powers, and functions. It may also create sub-committees,
whenever appropriate, for the purpose of dispensing with any of their respective functions. To
avoid duplication and ensure policy coherence, no other inter-agency body with the same or
similar mandates to the Council Committees shall be created

Members of Congress may, upon invitation of the President, serve as resource
persons in any of the Committees.

SEC. 49, Development Budget Coordination Committee (BudgetCom). — BudgetCom shall be
composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of
Economics and Development Planning, Department of Finance, the Executive Secretary, and
the Governor of BSP.

A technical committee of BudgetCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries
of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of matters
that require appropriate action by BudgetCom.

BudgetCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for final approval of the Council
i. The level of annual government expenditures and the ceiling of government
spending for economic and social development, national defense, and
government debt service;
ji, The budget to be allocated for current operating expenditures and capital
outlays of government programs and projects;
iii, A strategic multi-year fiscal program which supports the long-term and medium-
term development objectives of the country; and
iv. A domestic and foreign borrowing program
(b) Assess the overall economic situation of the country, which includes economic growth,
monetary, fiscal, and possible economic risks which may require policy reforms;
(©) Ensure that the regional allocations are responsive to poverty, development gaps, and
economic opportunities; and
(d) Conduct periodic review of fiscal and macroeconomic targets, and the revenue and
expenditure projections of the government

The Department of Budget and Management shall serve as the Secretariat to
BudgetCom.

SEC. 50. Investment Coordination Committee (InvestmentCom). ~ InvestmentCom shall be
composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Finance, Department of Economics and


Development Planning, Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior
and Local Goverment, Department of Trade and Industry, the Executive Secretary, and the
Govemor of BSP.

A technical committee of InvestmentCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical
review of matters that require appropriate action by InvestmentCom

InvestmentCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Ensure the efficient and effective evaluation of major capital programs and projects of
the country by determining levels of acceptability and viability relative to overall
economic and fiscal conditions of the country

(b) Endorse for the final approval of the Council

i. The timetable of the implementation of major capital programs and projects on
a regular basis;

ii, Public-private partnerships, privatization, and other funding options to augment
government's financing capacity;

iii, Modalities of development financing and capital market development in support
of long-term programs and projects for both national and local government, and
GOCCs

iv. Specific major programs and projects with respect to technical, financial,
economic, social, environmental, legal, institutional, feasibility, and viability as
well as from the context of sectoral plans and geographical strategies, as may
be required by law, orders, and other legal issuances; and

v. _ Major capital projects based on a cost threshold or other criteria as may be set
by the Council;

(©) Submit to the President a status of the fiscal, monetary and balance of payment (BOP)
implications of major capital programs and projects.

SEC. 51. Economic Development Committee (EconDevCom). — EconDevCom shall be
composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Economics and Development Planning,
Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Budget and
Management, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation,
Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Energy,
Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture,
and Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Governor of BSP, and the
Executive Secretary
A technical committee of EconDevCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical
review of matters that require appropriate action by EconDevCom
EconDevCom shall endorse for approval of the Council:
(a) Policies that would ensure equitable and sustainable distribution of economic
opportunities and benefits to Filipinos;
(b) Policies towards the development of agriculture, industry, and services which are vital
to achieving food security and more equitable and sustainable growth;
(©) Policies for the improvement of national productivity, competition and competitiveness
of domestic products and services; and
(d) Policies and measures to promote an environment conducive to the growth and
competitiveness of private enterprises and the creation of jobs that will empower
people and provide them with opportunities to rise above poverty improve the quality
of their lives.

SEC. 52. Infrastructure Committee (InfraCom). — InfraCom shall be composed of the
Secretaries of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Economics and
Development Planning, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance,
Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Transportation,


Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Tourism, and the Executive Secretary.

A technical committee of InfraCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries of
the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of matters
that require appropriate action by InfraCom.

InfraCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for Council approval a national infrastructure development strategy that will
coordinate, integrate and accelerate the development initiatives across all
infrastructure subsectors in the country;

(b) Advise the Council on all matters concerning infrastructure development, including but
Not limited to the following: roads, highways, and bridges; airports, seaports, offshore
infrastructure and shore protection; railways and subways; power generation,
transmission and distribution; ICT, telecommunications; irrigation, flood control and
drainage; water supply, sewerage and sanitation; national buildings for government
offices; hospitals and related buildings; state colleges and universities, elementary and
secondary school buildings; reclamation; and other public works, whether procured or
financed through traditional means, public-private partnerships, or any other method;
and

(c) Coordinate the activities of agencies, including government-owned and controlled
corporations involved in infrastructure development.

SEC. 53. Social Development Committee (SocialDevCom). - SocialDevCom shall be
composed of the Secretaries of Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department
of Economics and Development Planning, Department of Budget and Management,
Department of Education, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor
and Employment, and the Executive Secretary

A technical committee of SocialDevCom, composed of duly designated
Undersecretaries of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical
review of matters that require appropriate action by SociaiDevCom.

SocialDevCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for approval of the Council policies and programs that enhance the welfare
and reduce risks of Overseas Filipino Workers, older persons, differently-abled
persons, children, women, indigenous peoples, marginalized farmers and fisher folk,
and informal urban and upland settlers; and

(b) Advise the Council on matters conceming social development, including but not limited
to the following: education, skills development, health and nutrition, population and
family planning, housing, human settlements, social protection, and the delivery of
other social services.

SEC. 54. Committee on Trade and Related Matters (TradeCom). - TradeCom shall be
composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of
Economics and Development Planning, Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and
Management, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Finance,
Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Information and Communications Technology,
Department of Transportation, the Executive Secretary, the Govemor of BSP, and the
Chairperson of the Tariff Commission.

A technical committee of TradeCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries
of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of matters
that require appropriate action by TradeCom.

TradeCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Endorse for approval of the Council a continuous rationalization policy and program
for the country's tariff structure;

(b) Advise the Council on trade and related matters, as well as the effects of various
international developments on the country; and


(c) Coordinate government agency positions and recommend national positions for
international economic negotiations.

SEC. 55. Regional Development Committee (RDCom). - RDCom shall be composed of the
Secretaries of the Department of Economics and Development Planning, Department of the
Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, and Department of
Trade and Industry, three (3) Regional Development Council Chairpersons representing
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and one (1) representative from the Union of Local Authorities
of the Philippines.

A technical committee of RDCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries of
the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of matters
that require appropriate action by RDCom

RDCom shall discharge the following functions:

(2) Formulate and monitor the implementation of policies that reduce regional
development disparities;

(b) Promote equitable allocation of resources among regions by providing
recommendations to DBCC on the guidelines for the regional allocation of budgetary
resources; and

(©) Periodically review the viability of the regional configuration of the country, and
recommend to the Council the re-delineation of regions, as may be necessary.

SEC, 56. Marine Resource and Land Use Committee (MaRLUCom). - MaRLUCom shall be
composed of the Secretaries of the Department of Economics and Development Planning,
Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local
Government, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Tourism, Department of
Human Settlements and Urban Development, the Chairperson of the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples, the Chairperson of the National Coast Watch Council, and the presidents
of the leagues of provinces, municipalities and cities.

A technical committee of MarLUCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries
of the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of matters
that require appropriate action by MarLUCom

MaRLUCom shall discharge the following functions:

(a) Advise the Council on matters concerning Marine Resource Use Planning and Land
Use Physical Planning;

(b) Endorse for approval of the Council the NFPP as provided in Section 17 of this Act that
guides the rational utilization and management of the country's marine resources, land
resources, and other physical resources, and the preparation of sub-national physical
framework plans;

(©) Endorse for approval of the Council resolutions concerning marine resource use and
land use policy conflicts among agencies of the national goverment; and

(d) Ensure the integration of marine resource use, land use and physical planning policies,
plans, and programs, including disaster risk management, into national socioeconomic
plans and programs.

SEC. 57. Governance Committee (GovCom). - GovCom shall be composed of the Secretaries
of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Economics and Development
Planning, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance,
Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Justice, the Chairperson of the
Commission on Audit, Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, and the Chairperson
of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations.

A technical committee of GovCom, composed of duly designated Undersecretaries of
the same member agencies, is hereby established to conduct a technical review of matters
that require appropriate action by GovCom

GovCom shall endorse for approval of the Council


(a) Policies that promote transparency, accountability, and participatory govemance:

(b) Policies that strengthen public institutions to effectively and efficiently implement their
respective mandates; and

(©) Policies, plans and programs that improve policy and regulatory environment to reduce
cost of doing business and promote market competition.

SEC. 58. Regional Development Council. - The Regional Development Councils, hereafter
referred to as RDCS, are the regional counterparts of the Council

Each RDC shall be composed of provincial governors, city mayors, mayors of
municipalities designated as provincial capitals, presidents of the provincial league of mayors,
mayors of municipalities designated as the regional centers, regional directors of the agencies
represented in the Council, regional directors of the Department of Education, Department of
Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Tourism, and private sector
representatives who shall comprise one-fourth (1/4) of the members of the fully constituted
RDC.

The President shall appoint the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the RDC. The
DROs shall serve as secretariat of the ROCs.

CHAPTER 3
TRANSITORY AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 59, Transitory Provision. - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
is hereby abolished. The powers and functions, applicable funds and appropriations, records,
files, equipment, facilities, supplies, property, and personnel of NEDA are hereby transferred
to and absorbed by DEDP. Alll current officials and employees of NEDA shall be retained
under DEDP. Any reference to NEDA or to the Secretary of NEDA in any existing law,
Executive Order, Administrative Order, or Presidential Proclamation, rules and regulations,
and other issuances with respect to any duty or function assumed by DEDP created in this
Act, shall be deemed hereafter to be referenced to DEDP or to the Secretary of Economics
and Development Planning, respectively.

Within six (6) months upon effectivity of this Act, DEDP shall prepare the 25-year
Framework. For this purpose, the amount necessary to carry out the necessary preparation of
the Framework shall be provided for in the GAA

All programs and projects submitted to NEDA for appraisal and/or those endorsed by
the current Investment Coordination Committee for NEDA Board approval prior to the
effectivity of this Act shall be processed by DEDP and the Council, respectively, subject to the
prevailing laws, rules and regulations, guidelines, and issuances at the time they were
submitted or endorsed

SEC. 60. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. - DEDP shall, by virtue of this Act, be subrogated
to all the rights and assume all the obligations of NEDA, and all its liabilities that pertain to its
pertinent funds and appropriations, records, files, equipment, facilities, supplies, property, and
personnel, including unexpended portions of its members' respective salaries.

SEC. 61. Separation and Retirement from Service. - NEDA employees who are separated
from service as a result of the consolidation and/or reorganization under the provisions of this
Act, shall receive separation benefits to which they may be entitled under Executive Order No.
366, series of 2004: Provided, that those who are qualified to retire under existing retirement
laws shall be allowed to retire and receive retirement benefits to which they may be entitled
under applicable laws and issuances.

SEC. 62. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to cover the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of NEDA. Thereafter, such sums
as may be necessary for the continuous and effective implementation of this Act shall be


included in the annual GAA. The approved annual appropriations shall be automatically and
regularly released.

SEC. 63. Capacity Building Program Fund. — There is hereby established a Capacity Building
Program Fund, which shall consist of contributions, donations, bequests, grants and loans
from domestic and/or foreign sources, government appropriations and other incomes accruing
from the operations of DEDP' s Capacity Building Program to carry out Chapter 1, Article Ill,
Sub-title XIII, Sections 36 and 37 of this Act. There is hereby appropriated out of any fund in
the National Treasury or other sources not otherwise appropriated the sum of Seventeen
Million Pesos (PhP17,000,000.00) as the initial contribution of the government to the Fund.

SEC. 64. Appropriations for DEDP Research Program. - Subject to availability of funds, there
shall be an annual appropriation in the amount of Sixty Million Pesos (Php 60,000,000.00) for
the conduct of the DEDP Research Program as stipulated in Chapter 1, Article Ill, Sub-title X,
Section 32 of this Act. The amount shall be subject to periodic review.

SEC. 65. DEDP Evaluation Program Fund. — Subject to availability of funds, there shall be an
annual appropriation in the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (Php 100,000,000.00) for
the conduct of the DEDP Evaluation Program as stipulated in Chapter 1, Article Ill, Sub-title
VIII, Section 30 of this Act. The amount shall be subject to periodic review.

SEC. 66. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety days (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, DEDP shall promulgate the rules and regulations, as well as the
necessary issuances required for the proper implementation of the provisions of this Act.
These implementing rules and regulations shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
‘completion of its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Within three (3) days from its effectivity date, three (3) certified copies of the published
implementing rules and regulation shall be furnished to the University of the Philippines Law
Center pursuant to Book VII Chapter 2 Section 3 of the Administrative Code of 1987

SEC. 67. Separability Clause. - If any provision or portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected shall remain
in full force and effect.

SEC. 68. Repealing Clause. — Executive Order No. 230, series of 1987 and Book V Title I!
Subtitle C Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Executive Order No. 292, series of 1987, are hereby
repealed. All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other
issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby
repealed, amended, and/or modified accordingly.

SEC. 69. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,