Gov't unveils 2011-2016 development plan By NONOY E.

LACSON January 8, 2011, 5:17pm CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has presented to government officials and stakeholders in Region 10 and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) the MediumTerm Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) draft for 2011-2016. NEDA presented the MTPDP during a forum to Regional Development Council (RDC) officials and representatives of the regional government agencies, local government units (LGUs), academe, nongovernment/peoples organizations, labor groups, and the private and business sector. NEDA said the presentation of the MTPDP to stakeholders here was intended to synchronize the national and regional thrusts and priorities of the government and to ensure wide participation in the preparation of the MTPDP. Iligan City Mayor and RDC 10 Chairman Lawrence Ll. Cruz welcomed the 135 participants saying that together, we shall craft good, sensible plans and take it upon ourselves the operational responsibility as major stakeholders. Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga III spearheaded the consultation, together with NEDA Deputy Director General Rolando G. Tungpalan, NEDA Development Information Staff Director Victoria V. Quimbo, and the representatives of the MTPDP 2011-2016 Planning Committees. The plan consists of nine chapters Macroeconomic Policy; Competitive Industry and Services Sectors; Competitive and Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries; Accelerating Infrastructure Development; Financial Sector; Good Governance and the

Rule of Law; Social Development; Peace and Security; and Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation of Environment and Natural Resources Towards Sustainable Development. During the forum, the participants were divided into four sector groups macro, social, economic, and infrastructure. Comments and clarifications on the draft presented, additional issues and concerns, and policy recommendations were also discussed during the plenary. Paderanga said the MTPDP translates the Presidents social contract with the Filipino people and is the strategic framework for the countrys development. The Social Contract envisions a country with an organized and widely shared rapid expansion of our economy through a government dedicated to honing and mobilizing our people's skills and energies, as well as the responsible harnessing of our natural resources, he said.

Exports of the lowly coconut coir are expected to reach $6.5 million by 2016. Decentralization The Philippines has the strongest history of democratic decentralization in Asia-Pacific. The Local Government Code of 1991 placed LGUs at the forefront of development and poverty alleviation, but implementation is still lacking. Labor & Social Protection The Government has recognized the need to develop a more coherent social protection strategy, underpinned by a more accurate and comprehensive

targeting system for the poor and vulnerable. Currently programs are fragmented and often fail to reach them. Rural Development & Agriculture The overall economy of the Philippines appears to be faring well in many areas but not so well in others. A review of the rural and agricultural economy shows that there are a number of factors that will influence future growth such as an increasing population needing to be supplied with food and food products and an expanding nonagricultural economy.

Education The Philippines is one of the most highly educated developing countries. It has high enrollment rates at all levels of education and it has achieved near universal access to primary education. Energy and Mining The long-standing liquidity problem of the national power entity is mainly due to its under-capitalization and inadequate tariff adjustments. In addition, there is an inefficient power distribution and low rate of electricity access in rural areas which requires urgent improvement. Environment Despite the governments good intentions, rapid population growth, urbanization and industrialization have outstripped urban environment services and weak natural resource management systems have led to rapid degradation of those environments. Social Development Greater voice and improved access for the poor and disadvantaged in the planning and delivery of basic

services at the local level remains a challenge. Transport During the last decade, the Philippines has attained important improvements in transport infrastructure and services. A road users fund was established and various modes of private sector participation in toll roads, rail and airports were undertaken.The Government also adopted liberalization and deregulation polices in the shipping industry and civil aviation, which resulted to increased competition, lower tariffs and better services.

Health Nutrition & Population The prevalence and depth of poverty in the Philippines are now declining through accelerated economic growth, but social indicators still vary dramatically across the country, indicating that national development continues to be dragged down by the situation of the poor.

The Philippines has the strongest history of democratic decentralization in the region. Several presidential decrees from the autocratic Marcos government laid out an institutional groundwork for decentralization. After the fall of Marcos, the countrys new 1987 Constitution embraced decentralization and local autonomy. In 1991, the countys Local Government Code mandated significant devolution to local governments. Today the countrys decentralization framework is essentially complete, but implementation is still lacking.