Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. JOSE FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Section 9, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution grants Congress the power to establish an 
independent economic and planning agency headed by the President – and unless provided by 
law, the National Economic and Development Authority (“NEDA”) shall perform the functions 
of the same. 
This bill animates this constitutional provision, seeking to establish the Department of 
Economics and Development Planning (“DEDP”) which shall assume the powers, duties and 
functions of NEDA.  
The responsibility for economic planning in the country has been vested in various 
bodies, beginning with the National Economic Council which was created in 1935. In 1973, 
the functions of different bodies were integrated under the NEDA with the President as 
Chairman. In 1987, the NEDA was reorganized by virtue of Executive Order No. 230, which 
created two discrete bodies under NEDA – the NEDA Board, headed by the President, and the 
NEDA Secretariat, headed by a Director-General who, ex officio, holds the rank and title of 
Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning, and therefore, is a member of the Cabinet. Under this 
structure, the powers and functions of the NEDA resides in the NEDA Board, with the NEDA 
Secretariat providing technical assistance and administrative support. 
This bill effectively strengthens the NEDA Secretariat as the independent and primary 
economic and planning agency of the government. Under this bill, the NEDA Board is 
reconstituted as the Economics and Development Council, with the President as chairperson, 
and shall continue to provide the direction and legitimation of the work of the new Department. 
The Council shall also serve as vehicle for coordination and integration of different economic 
objectives as articulated by the Department in its plans and policy recommendations. 
This reorganization is necessary to cultivate independence in economic and development 
planning, but stresses complementarity in the roles of different agencies that contribute to 
socio-economic development of the country. It also highlights the need to adapt and align our 
economic policy with global transformations that impact capital flows, production processes 
and consumption to ensure economic growth and resilience, and sustainable and inclusive 
development. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
JOSE FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ 
October 18, 2022
4:44 pm
5593


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by REP. JOSE FRANCISCO “KIKO” B. BENITEZ, Ph.D. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT 
PLANNING, DEFINING ITS FUNCTIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR 
CHAPTER 1 
ARTICLE I 
TITLE AND POLICY 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Department of Economics 
and Development Planning Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policies and Principles. – The State shall adopt and implement 
continuing, integrated, and coordinated policies, plans, and programs towards equitable 
distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; ensure a sustained increase in the amount of 
goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and expand 
productivity to raise the quality of life for all. 
It is therefore vital that major programs and projects of different government agencies 
must be properly reviewed by and coordinated by a national government agency to ensure their 
consistency with established national and subnational priorities; that the linkage between 
development planning, programming and budgeting shall be of highest priority in identifying 
programs, activities, and projects; and that the public and private sectors at the national and 
subnational levels participate in the process of formulating, implementing, monitoring, and 
evaluating policies, plans, and programs. 
The State recognizes that, pursuant to the Section 9, Article XII of the Constitution, 
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 sector groups, and local government units (LGUs), recommend priority legislative 
measures to Congress. 
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, hereinafter to be referred to 
5593


as the DEDP, which shall serve as the primary government agency tasked to prepare and 
recommend national economic development goals, policies, and programs, and monitor the 
implementation of the same. The DEDP shall take over the powers, duties, and functions of 
the National Economic and Development Authority. 
SEC. 4. Mandate of the DEDP. – The DEDP shall be the agency that shall direct the 
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. Powers and Functions of the DEDP. -  In accordance with Chapter I Article III 
of this Act, the DEDP shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Visioning and plan formulation;
(b) Harmonization of plans;
(c) Investment programming;
(d) Linkage of planning with budgeting;
(e) Policy advisory;
(f) Project appraisal;
(g) Monitoring and assessment;
(h) Evaluation;
(i) Independent review;
(j) Research;
(k) Knowledge management and communication;
(l) Transparency and accountability reports;
(m)  Capacity building of development planning;
(n) Economic and financial literacy;
(o) Innovation and futures thinking, or the creative processing, exploration, and
management of change as a component of strategy and policy development; and
(p) Secretariat support to the Economics and Development Planning Council.
SEC. 6. Stakeholder Engagement. – In the discharge of these functions, the DEDP shall
undertake consultations with appropriate public agencies, civil society organizations, non-
government organizations, people’s organizations, academe, private sector, and LGUs to 
incorporate their respective priority needs in the formulation of policies, plans, programs and 
projects. 
SEC. 7.  Organization of the DEDP. – The DEDP shall consist of the Office of the 
Secretary, the offices of the undersecretaries and assistant secretaries, technical and sectoral 
staff, operations support staff, and regional offices. 
SEC. 8.  The Secretary of Economics and Development Planning. – The DEDP shall be 
headed by the Secretary who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, subject to 
the confirmation by the Commission on Appointments, and shall hereinafter be referred to as 
the Secretary. 


The Secretary, who shall serve as the country’s Chief Economist, shall have the following 
minimum qualifications: a natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines: of good moral 
character; of recognized probity, competence, and independence; must be professionally 
distinguished in public, civic, or academic service in the field of economics; must have been 
in active professional practice 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. 9.  Powers and Functions of the Secretary of Economics and Development 
Planning. – The Secretary shall have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Advise the President of the Philippines on the promulgation of executive or
administrative orders and other issuances, and on the formulation of regulatory and
legislative proposals, pertaining to matters of national economic and social
development;
(b) Render a report on the status of implementation of national and subnational plans as
inputs to the State of the Nation Address by the President of the Philippines;
(c) Serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Economics and Development Planning Council,
created under Section 43 of this Act;
(d) Lead the discourse on futures thinking in the public sector, and pursuant thereto,
consider the latest trends, strategic issues, and key developments in the country in order
to assist government agencies better anticipate and address their implications;
(e) Direct the conduct of research on development matters, examine evaluation results, and
gather current information and data for evidence-based formulation of broad policies,
plans and relevant programs;
(f) Exercise executive direction, control, and supervision over the entire operations of the
DEDP, and its agencies, bureaus, officers, and personnel;
(g) Establish policies and standards for the effective, efficient, and economical operations
of the DEDP, in accordance with the programs of the government;
(h) Promulgate rules and regulations, and exercise other powers as may be required to
implement the objectives of this Act; and
(i) Perform other functions as may be provided by law or as may be assigned by the
President of the Philippines.
SEC. 10.  The Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries. – The Office of the Secretary 
of Economics and Development Planning shall be composed of at least four (4) 
undersecretaries and eight (8) assistant secretaries. 
The undersecretaries and assistant secretaries shall be appointed by the President of the 
Philippines, upon the recommendation of the Secretary, subject to the 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 the DEDP, depending on the DEDP’s strategic directions and on emerging 
development trends affecting the country’s economy. As the duties and responsibilities of the 
DEDP are expanded, the number of Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries may be 
increased as deemed necessary. 
SEC. 11. Offices and Staff. – The DEDP shall be composed of the following technical 
and sectoral staff, administrative and support staff, and regional offices for the following 
offices: 
(a) Macroeconomics;
(b) Trade, services, and industry;
(c) Agriculture, natural resources, and environment;
(d) Governance;
(e) Social development;
(f) Strategic foresight and futures;
(g) Innovation;
(h) Public investment;
(i) Social infrastructure;
(j) Connectivity infrastructure;
(k) Spatial planning and regional development;
(l) Program evaluation;
(m)  Project monitoring;
(n) Knowledge management and communication;
(o) Development planning training;
(p) Administrative;
(q) Human resource development;
(r) Financial planning and management;
(s) Information and communications technology;
(t) Legal;
(u) Internal audit service;
(v) Legislative liaison office; and
(w)  Regional offices.
The Secretary shall recommend to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
for approval, the creation of additional offices, positions, or staffing modifications as may be 
necessary. 
The DEDP’s organizational structure and staffing requirements shall be submitted to the 
DBM for review and approval. It shall adopt a position classification and compensation 
structure consistent with the existing polices, rules and regulations. 
SEC. 12. DEDP Regional Offices. – The DEDP Regional Offices, hereinafter referred to 
as DROs, shall have the following functions: 
(a) 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; 
 
(c)  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 (RDCs); 
 
(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 
the functions of the DEDP. 
 
SEC. 13. Attached Agencies. – The agencies currently attached to the National Economic 
and Development Authority (NEDA) shall hereinafter be attached to the 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 the DEDP for policy and program 
coordination purposes: 
 
(a)  Commission on Population and Development, created pursuant to Republic Act No. 
6365,  otherwise known as the "Population Act of 1971, as Amended." 
 
(b)  Philippine Institute for Development Studies, created pursuant to Presidential Decree 
1201 dated September 26, 1977; 
 
(c)  Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency, created pursuant 
Executive Order 635, series of 1980; 
 
(d)  Philippine Statistics Authority, created pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625, otherwise 
known as the “Philippine Statistical Act of 2013”; and 
 
(e)  Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute, created pursuant to Republic Act 
No. 10625. 
 
The following agencies shall be attached to the DEDP for administrative purposes only: 
 


(a)  Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, created pursuant 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, otherwise 
known as the “Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA)”. 
 
SEC. 14. Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. – The 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, the DEDP 
shall oversee and coordinate the provision of overall technical and administrative support to 
the LEDAC, and shall have the following duties and responsibilities, consistent with Article 
III, Section 2 of the rules and regulations issued to implement Republic Act No. 7640: 
 
(a)  Provide technical and administrative support to the LEDAC and its sub-committees, if 
any; 
 
(b)  Determine and prepare the agenda for and the minutes of the LEDAC meetings, and 
prepare the minutes of each meeting; 
 
(c)  Serve as venue for the initial processing and discussion of the work of the LEDAC; 
 
(d)  Receive and prepare communications pertinent to the work of the LEDAC; 
 
(e)  Manage and maintain the official records of the LEDAC; 
 
(f)   Prepare the annual budget of the LEDAC; 
 
(g)  Prepare reports as required by the LEDAC; and 
 
(h)  Perform other duties as may be assigned by the LEDAC. 
 
ARTICLE III 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF DEDP 
I. Visioning and Plan Formulation 
 
SEC. 15. Visioning. – The DEDP shall formulate a long-term vision, hereinafter referred 
to as the Vision, which embodies the long-term aspirations of all Filipinos. It shall be data-
driven and evidence-based, encompassing all dimensions of economic, social, and 
environmental development. The Vision shall undergo a review every ten (10) years in 
consideration of changing aspirations and preferences. 
 
SEC. 16. Long-term Development Framework. – The DEDP shall formulate the 
country’s long-term development framework, hereinafter 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 
government policies, programs, and projects across political administrations. 
SEC. 17. Physical Planning Framework. – The 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 DEDP Regional 
Offices, in consultation with their respective RDCs, shall formulate the regional spatial and 
physical framework (RSPF) which shall encompass an implementation period of 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. – The DEDP shall issue a Planning Call to government agencies 
and shall provide the standards and guidelines for preparing the national and subnational 
development plans and public investment programs. Within one (1) month from the approval 
of the Philippine Development Plan by the Economics and Development Planning Council, 
national government agencies shall submit to the DEDP their respective short-term 
development plans and investment programs. 
SEC. 19. Philippine Development Plan and Regional Development Plans. – The DEDP, 
in consultation with public agencies, civil society organizations, non-government 
organizations, people’s organizations, academe, private sector, and LGUs, shall formulate 
within six (6) months from the assumption of office of the President of the Philippines a 
national economic and development blueprint, known as the Philippine Development Plan, 
hereinafter referred to as the PDP, which shall be anchored on the Framework. The PDP shall 
establish a set of measurable 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, hereinafter referred to as the RDP, which shall be 
formulated by the DEDP Regional Offices within six (6) months from the assumption of office 
of the President of the Philippines, 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. – The 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. 


II.  Harmonization of Plans 
 
SEC. 21. Harmonization of Plans. – The DEDP shall direct the government’s planning 
cycle to ensure the harmonization and coherence of national, subnational, sectoral, and spatial 
plans and programs by prescribing standards, guidelines, compliance, and accountability 
mechanisms. Moreover, the DEDP shall review the short-term development plans submitted 
by the agencies as stipulated in Section 18 of this Act in orderto recommend appropriate action. 
 
III.  Investment Programming 
 
SEC. 22. Investment Programming. – The 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 their conformity to the NFPP and RSPF which are the main reference references for land 
use and physical framework plans as mandated under Section 17 of this Act. 
 
SEC. 23. Public Investment Program and Regional Development Investment Program.  -  
The DEDP, in consultation with public agencies, shall formulate the Public Investment 
Program, hereinafter 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 
ventures (JV), and other viable implementation and financing options. At the subnational level, 
this shall be known as the Regional Development Investment Program, hereinafter referred to 
as the RDIP, which shall be formulated by the DROs in consultation with their respective 
RDCs. 
 
IV. Linkage of Planning with Budgeting 
 
SEC. 24. Linkage of Planning with Budgeting. – The DEDP shall recommend to the 
Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) the priorities for budget expenditure 
policies including sectoral and regional allocations. Together with the DBM and other relevant 
government oversight agencies, the 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. 
 
V. Policy Advisory 
 
SEC.  25. Policy Advisory. – The 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 of the Philippines, the Congress of the 
Philippines, or the Economics and Development Planning Council, created under Sec. 43 of 
this Act, as appropriate. 
 
VI.  Project Appraisal 
 
SEC. 26. Project appraisal. – The 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. The 


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 the DEDP shall be endorsed to the Economics and Development Planning Council through 
the appropriate inter-agency committee. 
 
VII.  Monitoring and Assessment 
 
SEC. 27. Monitoring and Assessment. – The DEDP shall monitor and assess the progress 
of implementation of priority national and subnational programs and projects, as defined by 
the Economics and Development Planning Council, with respect to physical and financial 
performance, among others. The DEDP shall also identify implementation bottlenecks and 
facilitate resolution of problems. The Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG) shall complement the monitoring, reporting, and facilitation of programs and projects 
at the sub-regional level. Moreover, the DEDP shall determine the continued viability of 
national programs or projects and recommend corresponding measures to the Economics and 
Development Planning Council. 
 
SEC. 28. Philippine Development Report and Regional Development Reports. – The 
DEDP and its Regional Offices shall formulate annually the Philippine Development Report 
(PDR) and Regional Development Reports (RDRs). The PDR and RDRs shall serve as 
monitoring reports on the implementation of the PDP and RDPs, respectively. The results from 
such monitoring activities shall serve as inputs to policy and decision makers in the formulation 
of policies, budgeting, and implementation of programs and projects. To this end, the PDRs 
and RDRs shall contain the latest data and information pertaining to the goals, policies, and 
strategies, as specified in the PDP. 
 
SEC. 29. Official Development Assistance Portfolio Review. -  The DEDP shall review 
the status of all projects funded by ODA pursuant to Republic Act No. 8182, otherwise known 
as the “Official Development Assistance Act of 1996”. 
 
VIII. Evaluation 
 
SEC. 30. Evaluation. – The 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 governance, transparency, 
accountability, and evidence-based decision-making. 
 
IX. Independent Review 
 
SEC. 31. Independent Review. – In the course of its monitoring and assessment of 
programs and projects, the 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. 
 
X. Development Research 
 
SEC. 32. Research. – The DEDP shall conduct research, special surveys, and related 
studies as inputs to the formulation of policies and plans, and the design of programs and 
projects. The DEDP shall establish a Development Research Program so that broad policies, 
plans, and relevant programs can be formulated based on a sound analysis of data and evidence. 


 
XI. Knowledge Management and Communication 
 
SEC. 33. Knowledge Management and Communication. – The 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  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. 
 
XII. Transparency and Accountability Reports 
 
SEC. 34. Transparency and Accountability Reports. – Within the first quarter of every 
year, the DEDP shall submit a report to the President of the Philippines, Cabinet, Congress, 
and the Filipino people through the mass media, 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 the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Finance 
(DOF) and the DBM; 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. – The DEDP shall submit an Inter-Generational 
Report (IGR) to the President of the Philippines 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. 
 
XIII. Capacity Building of Development Planners 
 
SEC. 36.  Capacity Building of Development Planners. – The DEDP, in coordination 
with appropriate institutions including state universities and colleges, subject to accreditation 
procedures, shall establish and implement a capacity building program on development 
planning for national and local planners to build, strengthen, and continually update the 
technical competencies of development planners in the country. The capacity building program 
shall also serve as a platform for wider dissemination of the country’s vision, development 
plans, policies, and programs. 
 
SEC. 37. Technical Assistance to Development Planners. – The DEDP shall provide 
technical assistance to the LGUs 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. 
 
XIV. Economic and Financial Literacy 
 
SEC. 
38.  Economic and Financial Literacy. – The DEDP shall lead the participation 
of government agencies and instrumentalities, including LGUs, government-owned and 
controlled corporations (GOCCs) and educational institutions, in the conduct of knowledge-
expanding activities on economic and financial literacy, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10922, 
otherwise known as the “Economic and Financial Literacy Act”. 
 
XV.  Innovation and Futures Thinking 
 


SEC. 39. Innovation. – The 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. 11293, or the “Philippine Innovation Act”. 
 
SEC. 40. Futures Thinking. – The DEDP shall continually undertake scenario planning 
exercises, anticipating future trends or discontinuities, and recommend responsive measures to 
the President of the Philippines and the Congress, as appropriate. 
 
SEC. 41. Foresight Tools. – The DEDP shall employ or develop, as circumstances 
warrant, foresight tools to deal with emergent trends, understand plausible future states, craft 
corresponding strategies, and monitor relevant indicators of anticipated futures. 
 
 
XVI. Technical and Secretariat Support 
 
SEC. 42. Technical and Secretariat Support. – The DEDP shall serve as the Secretariat 
to the Economics and Development Planning Council and its Committees, the RDCs, and the 
National Innovation Council. In this capacity, the DEDP shall ensure that all policies, 
programs, and projects approved by these bodies are strictly aligned with the PDP and RDP. 
As secretariat support, 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, the 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 Economics and Development Planning Council prior to the 
endorsement of such programs and projects to the Council for approval. At the subnational 
level, the DEDP Regional Offices shall provide prior technical inputs, review, appraisal, or 
evaluation for endorsement of programs and projects to RDCs for approval. 
 
The DEDP shall also provide advisory services to these bodies. 
 
CHAPTER 2 
ARTICLE I 
THE ECONOMICS AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL 
 
SEC. 43. The Economics and Development Planning Council. – The Economics and 
Development Planning Council is hereby established, hereinafter referred to as the Council.  
The Council shall be headed by the President of the Philippines, shall be an 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)  President of the Philippines as Chairperson; 


(b)  Executive Secretary; 
(c)  Secretary of Economics and Development Planning as Vice-Chairperson; 
(d)  Principals of the agencies chairing the Committees of the Council; 
(e)  National President of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines; and 
(f)   Governor of the BSP, as a resource institution. 
 
The President of the Philippines 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 functions: 
  
(a)  Direct the formulation and implementation of policies, plans, and programs that would 
promote economic development and address development concerns of national 
importance; 
 
(b)  Approve the PDP, PIP, 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, government 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; 
 
(f)   Approve projects, programs, and plans, as endorsed by the 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 of the Philippines to address urgent 
concerns, or emergencies, such as natural disasters, calamities, or other extraordinary 
circumstances which would affect the economy or and national development. 
 
The DEDP shall maintain and preserve a complete record of the proceedings and 
deliberations of the Council, including the recordings and transcripts thereof, either in their 
original form, or in any secured format made available by existing technology, such as 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 Economics and Development Council with personal and 
pecuniary interest in any matter in the agenda of the Council shall disclose the interest to the 
Economics and Development 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 Economics and Development Council. – The Economics 
and Development 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 of the Philippines shall designate the respective Chairpersons of the 
Committees. The 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 
with 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’s Committees shall be created. 
 
Members of Congress may, upon invitation of the President of the Philippines, serve as 
resource persons in any of the Committees. 
 
SEC. 49. Development Budget Coordination Committee (BudgetCom). – The 
Development Budget Coordination Committee (BudgetCom) shall be composed of the 
Secretaries of the DBM, the DEDP, the DOF, the Executive Secretary, and the Governor of the 
BSP. 
 
A technical committee of the 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. 
 


The BudgetCom shall discharge the following functions: 
 
(a)  Endorse for final approval of the Council: 
 
(1)  The level of annual government expenditures and the ceiling of government 
spending for economic and social development, national defense, and 
government debt service; 
 
(2)  The budget to be allocated for current operating expenditures and capital outlays 
of government programs and projects; 
(3)  A strategic multi-year fiscal program which supports the long-term and 
medium-term development objectives of the country; and 
 
(4)  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; 
 
(c)  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, including general examination of costs, 
accomplishments and performance standards applied in undertaking development 
projects; and 
 
(e)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
BudgetCom. 
 
The DBM shall serve as the Secretariat to the BudgetCom. 
 
SEC. 
50.   Investment   Coordination   Committee (InvestmentCom). 
– 
The 
Investment Coordination Committee (InvestmentCom)  shall  be  composed  of  the Secretaries 
of the DOF, the DEDP, the DBM, the DILG, the DTI, the Executive Secretary, and the 
Governor of BSP. 
 
A technical committee of the 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. 
 
The 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 the following to the Council for its approval: 
 
(1)  Timetable of the implementation of major capital programs and projects on a 
regular basis; 


 
(2)  Public-private partnerships, privatization, and other funding options to augment 
government’s financing capacity; 
 
(3)  Modalities of development financing and capital market development in support 
of long-term programs and projects for both national and local government, and 
GOCCs; 
 
(4)  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 
 
(5)  Major capital projects based on a cost threshold or other criteria as may be set 
by the Council. 
 
(c)  Submit to the President of the Philippines a status of the fiscal, monetary and balance 
of payment (BOP) implications of major capital programs and projects; and 
 
(d)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
InvestmentCom. 
 
SEC. 51. Economic Development Committee (EconDevCom). – The Economic 
Development Committee (EconDevCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DEDP, 
the DOF, the DTI, the DBM, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the 
Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Agriculture (DA), 
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the DILG, the Governor of BSP, and the 
Executive Secretary. 
 
A technical committee of the 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. 
 
The 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; 
 
(c)  Policies for the improvement of national productivity, competition and competitiveness 
of domestic products and services; 
 
(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 to improve the quality of 
their lives; and 


 
(e)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
EconDevCom. 
 
SEC. 52. Infrastructure Committee (InfraCom). – The Infrastructure Committee 
(InfraCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DPWH, the DEDP, the DBM, the DOF, 
the DICT, the DOTr, the DTI, the DOE, the DA, the DOT, 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. 
 
The 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   
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; 
 
(c)  Coordinate the activities of agencies, including GOCCs involved in infrastructure 
development; and 
 
(d)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
InfraCom. 
 
SEC. 
53.  Social Development Committee (SocialDevCom). – The Social 
Development Committee (SocialDevCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the DEDP, the DBM, the 
Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Agrarian Reform, the DA, the 
Department of Health, the DILG, the DOLE, 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 SocialDevCom. 
 
The 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; 
 


(b)  Advise the Council on matters concerning social development, including education, 
skills development, health and nutrition, population and family planning, housing, 
human settlements, social protection, and the delivery of other social services; and 
 
(c)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
SocialDevCom. 
 
SEC. 54.  Committee on Trade and Related Matters (TradeCom). – The Committee on 
Trade and Related Matters (TradeCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DTI, 
DEDP, DA, DBM, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), DOF, 
Department of Foreign Affairs, DICT, DOTr, the Executive Secretary, the Governor 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. 
 
The 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; 
 
(c)  Coordinate government agency positions and recommend national positions for 
international economic negotiations; and 
 
(d)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
TradeCom. 
 
SEC. 55. Regional Development Committee (RDCom). – The Regional Development 
Committee (RDCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DEDP, DILG, DBM,  DTI, 
three (3) RDC  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. 
 
The RDCom shall discharge the following functions: 
 
(a)  Formulate and monitor the implementation of policies that reduce regional 
development disparities; 
 
(b)  Promote 
equitable 
allocation 
of 
resources 
among 
regions 
by 
providing 
recommendations to the DBCC on the guidelines for the regional allocation of 
budgetary resources; 
 


(c)  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; and 
 
(d)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
RDCom. 
 
SEC. 56. Marine Resource and Land Use Committee (MaRLUCom). – Marine Resource 
and Land Use Committee (MaRLUCom) shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DEDP, 
the DAR, the DA, the DOE, the DENR, the DILG, the DOST, the DOT, and the 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 League of Provinces, the League of Municipalities, and the League of 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. 
 
The 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; 
 
(c)  Endorse for approval of the Council resolutions concerning marine resource use and 
land use policy conflicts among agencies of the national government; 
 
(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; and 
 
(e)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
MaRLUCom. 
 
SEC. 57. Governance Committee (GovCom). – The Governance Committee (GovCom) 
shall be composed of the Secretaries of the DBM, the DEDP, the DILG, the DOF, the DTI, the 
Executive Secretary, the Department of Justice, the Chairperson of the Commission on Audit, 
the Director General of the Anti-Red Tape Authority, and the Chairperson of the Governance 
Commission for GOCCs. 
 
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. 
 
The GovCom shall endorse for approval of the Council: 
 
(a)  Policies that promote transparency, accountability, and participatory governance; 


 
(b)  Policies that strengthen public institutions to effectively and efficiently implement their 
respective mandates; 
 
(c)  Policies, plans, and programs that improve policy and regulatory environment to reduce 
cost of doing business and promote market competition; and 
 
(d)  Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the mandates of the 
GovCom. 
 
SEC. 58. Regional Development Council. – The Regional Development Councils 
(RDCs) are the regional counterparts of the Council.  Each RDC shall be composed of the 
provincial governors, the city mayors, the mayors of the municipalities designated as provincial 
capitals, the presidents of the provincial league of mayors, the mayors of municipalities 
designated as regional centers, the regional directors of the agencies represented in the Council, 
the regional directors of the DepEd, the DSWD, and the DOT, and the private sector 
representatives who shall comprise one-fourth (1/4) of the members of the fully constituted 
RDC. 
 
The President of the Philippines shall appoint the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of 
the RDC. The DROs shall serve as secretariat of the RDCs. 
 
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 the NEDA are hereby 
transferred to and absorbed by the DEDP. All current officials and employees of the NEDA 
shall be retained under the DEDP.  Any reference to the NEDA, or to the Director General of 
the NEDA or the Secretary of Socio-economic Planning 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 the DEDP created in this Act, shall be deemed 
hereinafter to be referenced to the DEDP or to the Secretary of Economics and Development 
Planning, respectively. 
 
Within six (6) months upon effectivity of this Act, the 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 General Appropriations Act. 
 
All programs and projects submitted to the NEDA for appraisal and those endorsed by 
the current Investment Coordination Committee for the approval of the NEDA Board prior to 
the effectivity of this Act shall be processed by the DEDP and the Economics and Development 
Council, respectively, subject to the prevailing laws, rules and regulations, guidelines, and 
issuances at the time of submission or endorsement. 
 
SEC. 60. Transfer of Rights and Obligations. – The DEDP shall, by virtue of this Act, be 
subrogated to all the rights and assume all the obligations of the 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. – The NEDA employees who are 
separated from service as a result of the consolidation and reorganization under the provisions 
of this Act, shall be entitled to the following applicable separation incentives: 
 
(a)  One half (1/2) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, for those 
who have rendered less than eleven (11) years of service; 
 
(b)  Three-fourths (3/4) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, 
computed starting from the first year, for those who have rendered eleven (11) to less 
than twenty-one (21) years of service; 
 
(c)  The actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, computed starting from the 
first year, for those who have rendered twenty-one (21) to less than thirty-one (31) years 
of service; and 
 
(d)  One and one-fourth (1¼) of the actual monthly basic salary for every year of service, 
computed starting from the first year, for those who have rendered thirty-one (31) years 
of service and above. 
 
The NEDA employees who opt to retire under existing retirement laws shall also be 
entitled to the above incentives in addition to the retirement benefits to which they may be 
entitled under applicable laws and issuances: Provided, That personnel who avails of the 
separation incentives under this Act shall not be re-employed in any agency of the executive 
branch for a period of five (5) years, except as a teaching or medical staff in educational 
institutions and hospitals, respectively: Provided, further, That retired or separated personnel 
who are re-employed within the prohibited period shall refund the separation incentives 
received on a pro-rated basis. 
 
For purposes of the additional separation incentives, the actual monthly basic salary shall 
refer to the salary of the affected personnel as of the date of approval of the department's 
organizational structure and staffing pattern by the DBM. 
 
SEC. 62. Other Benefits of Retired and Separated Personnel. – The affected personnel 
who shall retire or are separated from the service shall, in addition to the applicable benefits 
abovementioned, be entitled to the following: 
 
(a)  Refund of Pag-IBIG contributions, both personal and government, pursuant to existing 
rules and regulations of the home development mutual fund; and 
 
(b)  Commutation of unused vacation and sick leave credits of the affected personnel in 
accordance with existing rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 63. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to cover the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of the NEDA. Thereinafter, 
such sums as may be necessary for the continued and effective implementation of this Act shall 
be included in the annual GAA. 
 


Such sums as may be necessary to implement the Capacity Building Program of the 
DEDP, DEDP Research Program and DEDP Evaluation Program shall also be included in the 
annual GAA. 
 
SEC. 64.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety days (90) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the DEDP shall promulgate the rules and regulations, as well as the 
necessary issuances required for the proper implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 65.  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. 66.  Repealing Clause. – Executive Order No. 230, Series of 1987, entitled 
“Reorganizing the National Economic and Development Authority,” and Book V, Title II, 
Subtitle C, entitled “The National Economic and Development Authority” of Executive Order 
No. 292, Series of 1987, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code of 1987,” are hereby 
repealed.  All other laws, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, and other issuances, or parts 
thereof, which are contrary or inconsistent with any provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 67.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,