Marcos signs bill turning Neda into DepDev
Marcos has signed a bill renaming the National Economic and Development Authority to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development. — Inquirer file photo
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law a measure turning the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) into the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev).
Signed by Marcos on April 10, but made public on Friday, Republic Act 12145 reorganized Neda into DepDev, establishing it as the country’s primary policy, planning coordinating, monitoring arm of the executive branch on the national economy.
READ: Congress ratifies measure changing NEDA to DEPDev
“The DepDev shall generate and provide impartial, objective, and evidence-based analyses and recommendations for the socio-economic betterment of the nation, particularly the Philippine government, and Filipinos in general,” the law stated.
The new department is mandated to ensure the alignment of institutionalized national and regional plans, the integration of long-term strategies into the budgeting process, and the undertaking of proactive approaches which address emerging challenges.
Furthermore, DepDev is also tasked to strengthen the capacities of national and local government agencies in planning and policy making.
However, the DepDev is also mandated to conduct consultations with appropriate government agencies, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, people’s organizations (POs), the academe, private sector, and LGUs to incorporate their priority needs in the formulation of policies, plans, programs, and projects.
Like most departments, the DepDev will be composed of the Office of the Secretary, the Offices of the Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, technical and sectoral staff, operations support staff, and Regional Offices.
Meanwhile, the Neda board will be reconstituted as the Economy and Development Council, or the ED Council—which will still be headed by the President.
The ED Council will then serve as the executive collegial body “responsible for directing and providing overall policy direction on economic matters to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development.”
The council is tasked to regularly meet at least on a quarterly basis or as frequently as necessary.
The law shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
