Quezon city: Malaca±ang has emphasized the importance of data-driven policies in sustaining the country's development gains. Speaking at the Department of Economy, Planning and Development's (DepDev) 90th anniversary celebration at Crowne Plaza in Quezon City on Thursday, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto cited the country's steady progress in poverty reduction as proof of the value of inclusive, evidence-based planning.
According to Philippines News Agency, Recto said poverty incidence declined from 23.5 percent a decade ago to 15.5 percent in 2023, adding that the Marcos administration aims to bring poverty down to single-digit levels by 2028. 'We chose to believe that our development should not be dictated by political whims but by data, direction, and discipline,' Recto said.
'This means that years of planning have sent millions of children to school, provided millions of families with roofs over their heads, and given millions of Filipinos greater dignity in their daily lives,' he added. Recto, who served as Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and Director-General of the then National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2008, acknowledged the agency's crucial role in building a more resilient and inclusive Philippines through long-term, data-based socioeconomic planning.
He described DepDev, formerly known as NEDA, as 'the nerve center of reason in the noise of populism and the scoreboard keeper of what truly matters: jobs created, investments attracted, infrastructure built, and Filipinos lifted out of poverty.' 'Because the true state of the nation is written not in rhetoric, but in economic conditions felt by Filipino families every day-sa presyo ng bigas at pagkain, sa pagkakaroon ng disenteng trabaho, at sa pagkamit ng magandang kinabukasan,' Recto said, noting that DepDev has guided the country through major economic disruptions, natural disasters, and global crises.
Recto also expressed gratitude to the country's development partners for their continued trust and support, stressing that international cooperation has been critical to the Philippines' development over the years. He reaffirmed the Marcos administration's commitment to fully implement the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and realize Ambisyon Natin 2040.
He urged stakeholders to sustain a culture of planning beyond politics, emphasizing the importance of nation-building to secure progress for both present and future generations of Filipinos. 'Nation-building depends on collective action. Do not stop dreaming and do not stop planning-para sa Bagong Pilipinas at para sa magandang kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino (for a New Philippines and for a better future of every Filipino),' Recto said.
