Economic planning as the key to sustained national development has been boosted by the signing into law by President Marcos of Republic Act No. 12145 on April 10, 2025, that officially transformed the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

Beyond a change in name, the creation the DEPDev institutionalizes the crafting of a long-term national vision, along the lines of the current Ambisyon 2040 that was formulated in 2015.

The Vision “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,” according to RA 12145. Emanating from the Vision is the Framework, “a high-level and broad strategy spanning 25 years that shall guide the country toward sustainable growth and development and the attainment of the Vision.”

Another salient reform is the institutionalization of the Planning Call that parallels the Budget Call which forms the basis of the government’s National Expenditure Program that is eventually enacted by Congress as the General Appropriations Act, or the national budget. In fact, the Planning Call “streamlines the integration of development priorities into the budgeting process, reducing inefficiencies and delays, promoting transparency and accountability in government decision-making, and ensuring that public resources are channeled to programs and projects most responsive or proven impactful to the country’s development needs.”

The new DEPDEV shall continue to issue major planning instruments such as the Philippine Development Plan, Regional Development Plans, and the Public Investment Program. It has been directed to actively engage with civil society, local governments and civil society to ensure broad-based and inclusive participation.

The law also reconstitutes the NEDA Board into the Economy and Development Council (ED Council), chaired by the President, which will set the overall direction for economic policy and national development.

The Board is assisted by seven Cabinet-level Inter-agency Committees, namely: the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC); the Committee on Infrastructure (InfraCom); the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC); the Social Development Committee (SDC); the Committee on Tariff and Related Matters (CTRM); the Regional Development Committee (RDCom); and the  National Land Use Committee (NLUC). Also retained under the new DEPDev are the erstwhile NEDA’s attached agencies, namely: the Commission on Population and Development (CPD); the Tariff Commission (TC); the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC); Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA); the Philippine Statistics Authrority (PSA); the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI); and the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Indeed, the creation of a revitalized and transformed DEPDev injects vitality and dynamism to the government agencies and offices primarily charged with ensuring and sustaining national development. This occurs within the context of a global economy that is dealing with the drastic changes in economic policies in the United States that have generated a massive wave of worldwide concern. Events are still in flux. What is essential is that the ship of state is kept on an even keel, able to deal effectively with external threats by dint of the strength of government institutions.

Such is the most important benefit arising from the transformation and revitalization of the NEDA into the DEPDev. The citizenry expects the concerned senior government officials to perform at their level best to ensure attainment of the country’s vital socioeconomic objectives.