By Mario Casayuran The 45-year-old National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) asked Congress yesterday to pass the proposed “The National Economic and Development Act of 2018,’’ a long overdue response to the 1987 Constitution. Appearing in a public hearing by the Senate economic affairs committee chaired by Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Ernesto M. Pernia, socio-economic planning secretary, said enactment of the bill into law would “finally recognize the agency’s (NEDA’s) independence in implementing socio-economic plans, programs and policies in the Constitution.’’ Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA Director- General Dr. Ernesto M. Pernia gestures during a press briefing held at the New Executive Building in Malacañang on August 23, 2016. (Photo by Richard V. Viñas / MANILA BULLETIN) “Moreover, the Act institutionalizes a “Planning Call,’’ similar to that of DBM’s ‘’Budget Call,’’ that will ensure a timely and coordinated planning process- with active participation especially of all pertinent agencies - and will secure the required funding for programs and projects in the Medium-Term Development Plan, The Act also establishes a Long-Term Development Plan that will ensure that plans and programs are continued seamlessly through succeeding administrations,’’ Pernia stressed. Gatchalian is the principal author of Senate Bill 1038, or the revitalized NEDA that shall become an independent economic and planning agency of the Philippine government. Pernia said he shares Gatchalian’s vision of having a culture of participatory planning instilled in the formulation of the country’s economic and development policies. He admitted that the current set-up is no longer adequate for NEDA to be able to fully exercise its oversight function. “With various reform initiatives that are often myopic rather than holistic, the government’s planning, policy-making, programming, and budgeting process has become fragmented, uncoordinated and often interrupted,’’ he said. “Implementation of plans, programs and policies has many times been delayed and inefficient. Even the sensible policies and programs that address root causes of problems and have long-term impact often get disrupted, discontinued or not given due attention. NEDA’s powers as an oversight body remains limited to coordinating plans and recommending policies,’’ he explained. Pernia said it is noteworthy that the country now has “AmBisyon Natin 2040’’ which articulates the country’s long-term vision based on people’s aspirations and has been adopted by President Duterte as ‘’a guide for development planning across administrations.’’ “Yet, stakeholders often express concern that this will suffer the same fate of other well-intentioned government initiatives of NEDA if not sufficiently empowered and effective as an economic manager and development leader,’’ Pernia said. Pernia assured Gatchalian that NEDA would work harder “as we have done in the past, with the authority granted to us by law, to help the country achieve self-sustaining and inclusive economic growth that empowers every Filipino to live in “matatag, maginhawa at panatag ng buhay.’’ (strong, comfortable and stable life.) The revitalized NEDA shall consist of distinct but functionally related entities, namely the National Economic and Development Board (NEDB) and the NEDA. The chairman of the six-member NEDB shall be the President of the Philippines. Whenever the President is unable to attend a meeting of the Board, the vice chairman (NEDA secretary) shall act as chairman. Members of the NEDB shall meet once every quarter.