Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Facebook)

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is upbeat with the changes coming to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which is set to transition into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

“Prospects are great for the NEDA to soon become a full-fledged [DEPDev] following the recent approval by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of their consolidated version of the bill abolishing the NEDA in favor of the DEPDev,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said the head of DEPDev shall serve as the number one adviser of the President on socio-economic planning and development.

“All that remains for the NEDA to become the proposed DEPDev is for both chambers to ratify the bicam (Bicameral Conference Committee) report on the reconciled bill creating this new department and then its submission to President Marcos for his approval and enactment into law," he noted.

The Bicolano authored House Bill (HB) No.11199, which sought the institutionalization of DEPDev. 

The measure was among those taken up by the bicam, which swiftly approved the consolidated bill last Jan.  22. 

Villafuerte said the measure approved by both legislative chambers “seek to transform the NEDA into a department, establishing its sufficient authority to be the lead integrator of the development programs and policies of the government in pursuit of sustainable and inclusive high economic growth".

The proposed DEPDev is tasked “to integrate and harmonize the national, sub-national and sectoral plans and programs by prescribing standards, guidelines, compliance and accountability mechanisms", he said.

Moreover, the proposed DEPDev is envisioned “to establish firm linkages to enhance decentralization and promote the autonomy of LGUs, which could pave the way to the attainment of the country’s long-term socioeconomic goals,” said Villafuerte, a former Camarines Sur governor.

Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party (NUP), noted that the conversion of the NEDA into a new department with Cabinet-level authority “has become more urgent owing to President Marcos’ vision of a Bagong Pilipinas where no Filipino shall be left behind in the quest for a peaceful and prosperous Philippines".

The DEPDev secretary’s main duties are to advise the President and the members of his or her Cabinet on matters of national and subnational or local economic and social development, and provide regular reports to the Chief Executive and the Cabinet on the state of the Philippine economy and the challenges ahead.

The DEPDev secretary shall also lead public discourse on the latest trends, strategic issues, future thinking, and key developments along with their implications for our country, the veteran solon said.

Under the bill, the DepDev shall have regional offices in every region, except the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Each DEPDev regional office (DRO) shall be headed by a regional director (RD).