At A Glance
- The AO formally designates the SAPIEA, currently Frederick Go, as chairperson of the Economic Development Committee — now renamed the Economic Development Group.
Malacañang has issued an administrative order reorganizing the composition of the Economy and Development Council (formerly known as the NEDA Board) and its committees to strengthen government coordination in implementing socioeconomic policies and programs.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (PCO)
Administrative Order No. 37, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Aug. 13, cites the need to “ensure continuity in the integration, coordination, and implementation of various socioeconomic policies and programs of the government.”
The order amends the existing setup of the Council, originally created under Executive Order No. 230 (s.1987), as last modified by EO No. 49 (s. 2023) and Administrative Order No. 25 (s. 2024).
Under the new AO, the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) will now sit as a member of the Economy and Development Council.
It also formally designates the SAPIEA, currently Frederick Go, as chairperson of the Economic Development Committee — now renamed the Economic Development Group.
The SAPIEA will represent the Office of the President in four key committees: the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), the Infrastructure Committee (InfraCom), and the Social Development Committee (SDC).
The secretaries of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) and the Department of Finance (DOF) will act as vice chairpersons.
The Finance and Budget and Management secretaries are likewise named co-chairpersons of the DBCC.
Meanwhile, the Agrarian Reform secretary, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director-general, and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lead convenor are now included in the SDC.
The AO also named the secretaries of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as new members of the Tariff and Related Matters Committee.
AO 37 states that the reorganization “shall be effective beginning 27 April 2025” and directs all concerned agencies to implement the changes immediately.