HOUSE Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd District), principal author of bills advocating for an independent economic planning department across the 17th, 18th, and 19th Congresses, has issued the following statement on the bicameral approval of the Department of Economic Planning and Development (DEPDEV):
“After nearly 40 years, Congress has finally fulfilled the constitutional mandate to create an independent economic planning agency with the stature of a full Cabinet department. Article XII, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution explicitly tasked Congress with this responsibility, making it the only constitution in the world to assign such a duty to the national legislature.
The Constitution is clear that NEDA’s role as the interim economic planning body was meant to be temporary. However, the need for independent, impartial economic analysis has deep roots in our history, yet independence has remained undefined in our laws—until now.
With the imminent enactment of the DEPDEV bill, we now have a concrete definition of independence for this department. DEPDEV will provide ‘impartial, objective, and evidence-based analyses and recommendations for the socio-economic betterment of the nation.’ This ensures that the department will always have a voice in shaping the governance of our economy.
As former Chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Bicol for nine years and Chair of the Luzon Area Development Coordinating Council, I pushed for institutionalizing RDCs as a cornerstone of national development. The bill now formalizes RDC structures and clarifies their leadership selection process, which was previously guided only by Executive Order No. 325.
The institutionalization extends to NEDA Committees, including the Subcommittee on Inflation Monitoring, ensuring that the government maintains a robust mechanism to manage price stability.
I also emphasized the importance of Futures Thinking—developing strategic scenarios to anticipate and navigate the country’s future challenges. Our neighbors in the region have heavily invested in this approach, and it’s time we do the same to remain competitive.
An independent economic planning department signals that, while political differences may persist, our economic decisions will now be rooted in facts, evidence, and a long-term vision for the country’s progress.”
