CRITIQUE PAPER ON THE PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2028

Final Output for Economic Development

By: Jonally A. Elarde

Course &Year: Accountancy – 2

Class Schedule: 7:00PM-8:30PM ( Tuesday & Thursday)

 I. INTRODUCTION

Every elected president in the world aspires to eliminate economic stagnation,

unemployment, and poverty. Achieving first-world status is the goal of every developing
nation. Ambisyon Natin 2040 is not a plan but a vision to show an image of the future and
also the national ideals for the Philippines. It serves as the foundation of the country’s
development plans through 2040. The Philippines Development Plan focuses its strategies on
making the Philippines a more resilient and healthy nation while aiding in the rehabilitation
of the economy.

As a preliminary strategy for the next six years of his term, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the
president of the Philippines, has declared an economic and social revolution. Regarding this,
he has also charged the National Economic and Development Authority with working with
other government departments and interested parties to draft the country’s development
framework for economic transformation. In order to help us accomplish our objectives and
demonstrate how growth has helped the Philippines in the future, the Philippine Development
Plan provides a complete strategy with practical policies and the motivations behind
legislation and initiatives.

This PDP is unique in that priorities and strategies were developed during a period of
economic recovery, which is particularly important given the highly uncertain geopolitical
landscape, simmering recession in major advanced economies, rapidly changing labor market
conditions due to digitalization and automation, and increasingly unpredictable weather
patterns due to climate change (Marcos Jr., 2023).

II. BODY

The PDP is not only a plan for social and economic development, but it also has five sections.
The plan’s summary is covered in Part One, Introduction, which also includes the first
chapter’s regulatory changes, health trends, economic, geopolitical, environmental, and
technical developments. Part two, which follows, is dedicated to advancing human and social
development. It falls under the heading “Develop and Protect Capabilities of Individuals and
Families.” This second chapter is divided into three subsections. The first one is primarily
concerned with enhancing the Philippine healthcare system, emphasizing how it should be
easily accessible, offer the best possible services, and efficiently fulfill Filipinos’ medical
needs.

Improving education and lifelong learning in the Philippines is the focus of the second
subchapter, which is addressed in Outcome 1, as both are vital for the advancement of
Filipino youth and are fundamental human rights. In addition, Outcome 2 will improve
professional possibilities for graduates and increase knowledge in the Philippines, both of
which would boost the nation’s economy. Of course, the government also needs to enhance
the development of human capital, a subject that is addressed in Outcome 3.

“Establish Livable Communities,” the third subsection of Chapter 2, includes a strategic

framework along with an assessment of the issues faced by the nation’s communities.
Furthermore, these tactics have four results: enhancing the built environment, improving
environmental quality, promoting the social environment, and progressing responsive
governance.

“Reduce Vulnerabilities and Protect Purchasing Power” is the title of Part 2, Chapter 3. It has
two subchapters that give a strategy framework with three goal objectives for guaranteeing
food security and proper nutrition. Three goals have been reached in subchapter one: a stable
and sufficient supply of food commodities; increased consumer access to reasonably priced,
secure, and nutrient-dense food; and improved nutrition for all age groups. Under the heading
“Strengthen Social Protection,” Subchapter two of chapter three discusses the evaluations and
difficulties related to a number of issues, including the following: outcome one: the
achievement of a modern, comprehensive, and universal system of social protection; outcome
two: risks to individuals and the life cycle are mitigated; outcome three: risks to the economy
are managed; outcome four: hazards related to the environment, health, and other human
activities are mitigated; and outcome five: governance and political risks are addressed.

The final component of Part two, titled “Increase Income-earning Ability,” addresses topics
related to outcomes one through three: expanded access to employment possibilities,
increased employability, and achieved shared labor market governance. The legislative
agenda named DOLE and TESDA as the main players in accomplishing the objectives
established by the 19th Congress to increase the number of Filipinos who can support
themselves, as per the official PDP chart.

There are three duties assigned to the Department of Labor and Employment: A. The Job
Creation Strategy Bill aims to create an Inter-Agency Council for Jobs and Investments,
which will be led by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), and TESDA. It also establishes working groups that will focus on
developing employment recovery and job creation in particular industries and emerging
sectors, such as but not limited to construction, tourism, agriculture, information technology,
and business practices. Lifelong Learning Development Bill: Utilizing the National
Coordinating Council for the Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF-NCC), develop a
framework for lifelong learning. To support cities, municipalities, and educational institutions
in promoting lifelong learning, the PQF-NCC will determine and set standards for producing
action components and appropriate performance indicators. The Enterprise Productivity Act
seeks to increase labor productivity by: establishing a Productivity Incentives Committee;
putting in place productivity incentive programs; providing productivity incentives to
employees; and providing a tax incentive to business establishments for providing incentives
to employees. These initiatives support the goals of the “Productivity Incentive Act of 1990.”

The two duties of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority are as follows:
the primary goal of the redesigned National Apprenticeship Program is to bring the present
EBT approaches into line and expand the availability of training programs being used by
businesses; these programs may combine classroom instruction with on-the-job training; and
the Enterprise-Based Education and Training to Work Act aims to enhance the apprenticeship
program’s appeal to prospective apprentices and employers, promote skill development, and
provide early work opportunities.

The goal of Part III of the Philippine Development Plan for 2023–2028 is to “TRANSFORM
PRODUCTION SECTORS TO GENERATE MORE QUALITY JOBS AND
COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS.” This section covers a number of topics that are covered in
more detail in Chapters 5–10.

The topic of Chapter 5 is “Modernize Agriculture and Agribusiness,” with strategic

frameworks aimed at improving the resilience of AFF value chains, increasing market
accessibility for AFF firms, and fortifying agricultural institutions. The National Land Use
Act, Consolidating Land Administration and Management Functions, Increasing Idle Land
Tax, Soil and Water Conservation Act, New Agrarian Emancipation Act, Farm-to-Market
Road Development and Acceleration, Strengthening the Agricultural Extension System,
Amendments to the Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) Charter, Livestock, Poultry, and
Dairy (LPD) Development and Competitiveness Act, Amendment of the Rice and Corn Law
(Presidential Decree [PD] No. 194), The Young Farmers and Fisher folk Challenge Act, the
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is strengthened, and Section 61 of the
Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act 8550) is amended.

The subject of Chapter 6 Is “Revitalize Industry,” which assesses and pinpoints problems in
the home market, market supply, and demand for higher output in order to complete the value
chain’s advancement and strengthen the economy’s cross-sectoral ties. This topic contains
several 19th Congress legislation aimed at revitalizing the industry. The Department of Trade
and Industry is the main agency responsible for this matter, along with DOST for the Science
and Technology Parks Act and the National Quality Infrastructure Act, and PEZA for the
amendment of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Law. The Philippine Standardization
Act of 2022, the Internet Transactions Act, the Enterprise Productivity Act, the Amendment
of the Philippine Qualifications Framework (Republic Act 10968), and the Ratification of the
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are all under the purview of DTI.

In Chapter 7, “Reinvigorate Services,” market expansion is encouraged as the promotion of

multidimensional tourism and the tourist economy is highlighted in a sustainable, inclusive,
and resilient manner. Among these are the diverse product offerings through
multidimensional tourism, which presents the benefits of the Filipino people while offering a
range of experiences; natural and cultural endowments in the areas of arts, food, and
gastronomy (including Halal); nature-based farm tourism; cruises; movies; medical; health
and wellness; meetings; incentives; conventions; and exhibitions. The Department of Tourism
(DOT) will expedite the release of the product development guidebook and training modules
for local government units (LGU) in order to enhance the readiness of goods and destinations
for safe, intelligent, and sustainable tourism. Enhancing the inter-sectoral linkage by taking
steps to improve and sustainably expand the transportation network, digitalize tourist
services, and strengthen the service value proposition through creativity and innovation.
Inter- and multi-modal tourist routes (air, sea, and land) are developed and expanded with
assistance from DOT, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Public Works
and Highways. Encourage the updating of the National Cruise Tourist Strategy in order to
enhance the maritime and cruise tourism industries’ contributions to the Philippine blue
economy and employment. You can encourage barrier-free travel by providing travelers
particularly those with special needs with real-time, technology-enabled information and
support, together with distinctively caring and high-quality Filipino service.
In order to reduce the complexity, upfront costs, and risks associated with private R&D,
Chapter 8 addresses “Advance Research and Development, Technology, and Innovation.” To
this end, the government will build labs, science and technology research facilities,
Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Parks, university science and
technology parks, technology business incubators, and other infrastructure. The government
would enhance the Balik-Scientist Program and provide support to the Filipino scientific
communities residing overseas. It would provide a system of rewards and recognition for
academics at public universities and colleges who dedicate at least eight hours a week to
research and writing. It will make more of an effort to support faculty and institutional
activities to establish relationships with corporations, other universities, and research
facilities. The second result is a mechanism for integrating a market and user information
system, which advances customer- and market-driven research and development. The third is
the expansion of technological innovations through commercialization, scalability, and other
means such as utility adoption. Accelerating entrepreneurship and innovation in the
Philippines is the fourth and final goal.

A brief section of Chapter 9, “Promote Trade and Investments,” addresses how the Philippine
export industries have been strengthened, maintained, and placed in a recovered global
position. In order to promote both domestic and international trade, this segment also focuses
on upgrading and increasing overall investments while maintaining sustainability. With
immediate ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the
National Quality Infrastructure Act, and the Export and Industry Development Act in hand,
the Department of Trade and Industry is the primary responsible agency for the legislative
agenda put forth by the 19th Congress.

“Promote Competition and Improve Regulatory Efficiency” is the final section of Part III,
Chapter 10. Since the Philippine Competition Act (PCA), also known as Republic Act 10667,
was passed in July 2015, significant progress has been made in enhancing market
competition. The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), which was founded in
accordance with the PCA, has completed more than 200 merger assessments. On transactions
in a number of industries and trades, the PCC has also imposed remedies. It was also
successful in preventing other businesses from entering into arrangements that would hurt
competition.
The Philippine Development Plan for 2023–2028, Part IV, covers Chapters 11–15, which are
under the topic of “ENABLING ENVIRONMENT.” These chapters address topics such as
maintaining macroeconomic stability, growing inclusive and innovative finance, expanding
and upgrading infrastructure, ensuring peace and safety, and enhancing the administration of
justice in Chapter 13, practicing good governance and improving bureaucratic efficiency, and
strengthening disaster resilience in Chapter 15. The most important section of the entire plan
is Part V, which is dedicated to Chapter 16, which is meant to be used for the implementation,
monitoring, and assessment of the PDP’s overall agenda.

III. ANALYSIS, RECOMMENDATION, AND CONCLUSION

The Philippine Development Plan is in line with the “AmBisyon Natin 2040” vision for a
prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society and seeks to promote economic development,
combat poverty, and generate high-quality employment. These PDP goals are achievable, in
my opinion, particularly if the administration prioritizes meeting the most pressing needs of
the Filipino people. These include improving the country’s educational system, helping those
in need of financial aid or scholarships, increasing employment rates, and enhancing the
country’s export and import of goods and services to stabilize the economy. Most
significantly, as people are the most important beings in a democratic society, their voices
must be heard, and the governing body must act to further the interests of the common good,
it is imperative to protect each Filipino’s safety and preserve their human rights at all costs.

This kind of planned approach is necessary so that both the government and the people may
comprehend the Philippines’ likely future under a new leadership. In addition, this establishes
the parameters for the tasks that need to be completed during the next six years and will
decide whether the writers and the 19 th Congress are successful in producing this national
plan. Finally, as stated in AmBisyon Natin 2040, “By 2040, the Philippines shall be a
prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor,” the government is
challenged to ensure that they are keeping their word to the people. Our people will be
intelligent and have long, healthy lives in a culture that values trust.

To meet the goals outlined in the PDP 2023–2028, the government will put in place the
required laws, initiatives, programs, and policies. A published presidential order states that all
government agencies must embrace the plan and incorporate it into their budget plans, agency
goals, and roadmaps. The evaluation will be crucial for guiding future PDP articulation and
program implementation, communicating progress made against investment priorities, and
promoting transparency and accountability by making evaluation results available to all
branches of government and, most importantly, to the general public. Additionally, the
government will develop a national evaluation agenda to outline the evaluations that will be
prioritized.

IV. REFERENCES

Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028

https://pdp.neda.gov.ph/philippine-development-plan-2023-2028/