Philippine

Development

Plan (PDP)

2017-2022
(Critique Paper)

Submitted by:

Celestial, Renalyn A.

Domingo, Joan Richelle F.

 Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1

The Long View

Filipinos are known for aiming to have a better, healthy, and comfortable life. This

means, Filipinos are aiming for a healthy lifestyle, a safe environment, secured future, just and

good governance, and so on. More specifically, most Filipinos aim to have their own house and

lot to live with their family; to be able to bring their children to a good school; to be able to travel

the world or go wherever they wanted to go; and to have a decent and permanent job for good

source of income that will sustain their needs and even wants; to save for future needs such as

securing their life after retirement and for emergency needs.

All these aims and ambitions could be reflected in AMBISYON NATIN 2040, a

25-year long-tern vision of every Filipinos ambitions and the Philippine nation as well. And to

attain these ambitions, the government will help by formulating policies and implementing

programs. It was also adopted and was used as a guide in developing a plan called Philippine

Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 which was signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on

October 11, 2016, under the Executive Order No.5, s. 2016. In order to achieve AMBISYON

NATIN 2040, PDP laid down four areas for strategic policies, programs and project such as:

a) Building a prosperous, predominantly middle-class society where no one is poor;

b) Promoting a long and healthy life;

c) Becoming smarter and more innovative; and

d) Building a high-trust society.

 Chapter 2

Global and Regional Trends and Prospects

The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 would want the term to be open to

greater possibilities and opportunities, so the PDP stressed, in this chapter, the various inter-

related international trend projects such as economic, political, social demographic, and

environmental trends.

As to economic trends, China is known to be one of the rising tigers in Asia.

However, it is one of the countries who has continuously slowdown in emerging markets. But,

with expected 5.4 percent of growth in year 2017-2022, ASEAN is expected to recover from this

slowdown, including global trade will grow 3.9 percent annually over the period of 2017-2022.On

the other hand, global investment has reached 1.8 trillion US dollars just for the year 2018.It

only means that they are very eager to prove that rise of production network and buying chains

will drive integration.

As to political trends, political landscape will continuously be affected because of

global financial crisis. Philippines claim on West Philippine Sea seemed to be unsolved. While

Middle East will continuously be a region of instability.

For social demographic trends, senior citizens in the world are expected to grow

over 1.4 billion by 2030. Low and middle income countries declines in economic growth due to

inequality. With strong research and development base, innovation is predicted to originate in

middle-income economies though there is a shift in private and public funding and spending.

Promising new technologies may potentially change and disrupt the way things are done.

Lastly, on environmental trends, gradual increase in temperature and climate

vitality is a wide census among professionals. Average global temperature has increased

resulting in yield destructions in major crops like wheat and maize. Ice in icy part of the world

are now melting and oceans are already warming. Changes in climate is driving stakeholders to
push for sustainable development. And this is what Paris Agreement of 2015 seeks to address

in US policy.
 Chapter 3

Overlay of Economic Growth, Demographic Trends, and Physical Characteristics

Philippine population is expected to grow around 110 million by 2020.

CALABARZON, NCR, and LUZON are predicted to have the largest population in the

Philippines by 2022 and beyond. Regions with higher gross domestic products also have the

higher population.

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) will guide public investments and catalyze

private investments to maximize agglomeration efficiencies, enhance connectivity, and build up

resilience against natural hazards. First, NSS seeks to build on the efficiencies and maximize

the benefits of scale and agglomeration economies. Second, NSS also seeks to improve

linkages among settlements and the centers in order to equalize opportunities and address

socioeconomic inequities. Lastly, major centers and settlements need to be more resilient

against natural calamities.

 Chapter 4

Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 Overall Framework

Building of future where every Filipino enjoys a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag

na buhay. Beginning by laying down a strong foundation for more inclusive growth, a high-trust

and resilient society, and a globally-competitive knowledge economy. foundational outcomes

should be able to support the succeeding medium-term plans, all the way to 2040 and beyond.

A matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay by 2040 will be achieved if we are

able to lay down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient society, and a

globally-competitive knowledge economy by 2022. This goal will be supported by three pillars -

Malasakit, Pagbabago, and Patuloy na Pag-unlad - which are further supported by strategic

policies and macroeconomic fundamentals, and built on a solid bedrock of safety, peace and

security, infrastructure, and a healthy environment.

On the first pillar, enhancing the social fabric (Malasakit), there will be greater

awareness about and respect for the diversity of our cultures. On the second pillar, inequality-

reducing transformation (Pagbabago), there will be greater economic opportunities, coming

from the domestic market and the rest of the world. Lastly, on the third pillar, increasing growth

potential (Patuloy na Pag-unlad), modern technology, innovation, and in order to accelerate

economic growth even more in the succeeding Plan periods, interventions to manage

population growth will be implemented and investments for human capital development will be

increased.

The Part 1 of the PDP document structure provides the overall context for the

Plan. Part 2 is about enhancing the social fabric (Malasakit) to build the foundations for a high-

trust society. Part 3 stresses the importance of reducing inequalities in economic development

opportunities (Pagbabago). Part 4 focuses on increasing growth potential (Patuloy na

Pagunlad). Part 5 calls for a supportive economic environment that will enable the economy to

sustain growth, and Part 6 is about foundations for inclusive and sustainable development.
Finally, Part 7 describes the institutional arrangements for implementation and monitoring —

making sure that what is planned is implemented and that timely adjustments are done.
 Part 2: Enhancing the Social Fabric (Malasakit)

Chapter 5

Ensuring People-Centered, Clean, and Efficient Governance

To have a high-trust society is one of the goals of this administration. This is the

trust between the citizens, people, private sector, and the government.

To gain high-trust from the Filipinos, the PDP will be the bridge and in order to do

so, the government will reduce corruption and promote public awareness of anti-corruption

drives; they will also strengthen deterrence mechanism; adopt a whole-of-government approach

in delivery of key services; implement regulatory reforms to enhance administrative governance;

right-size the bureaucracy; strengthen results-based performance management, public financial,

and accountability to fully engage and empower citizenry; promote participatory governance;

ensure public access to information and institutionalize response and feedback mechanism;

implement electoral reforms to strengthen civil service; promote shared public service values;

improve human resource management system and streamline process; and develop and invest

in human resource
 Chapter 6

Pursuing Fair and Swift Administration of Justice

Providing justice is a crucial element in enhancing the social fabric. It is the

role of the government to provide justice, therefore, the administration of justice must be

swift and fair so that people trust government.

To implement these, the government will be enhancing enhance civil,

criminal, commercial, and administrative justice systems; will also institutionalize the

Justice Sector Coordinating Council; strengthen economic justice; deliver justice real-

time; improve and enhance sector efficiency and accountability through am engaged

citizenry; and deliver fair and equal justice.

 Chapter 7

Promoting Philippine Culture and Values

The Philippine development plan pays attention to the empowering nature of

culture. By 2022, the Filipinos will have greater awareness of our diverse culture and values.

The priority areas of the cultural agenda are:

 Safeguarding and enshrining our cultural heritage;

 Achieving equity and inclusion in access to cultural resources and services;

and

 Sustaining and enhancing cultural assets to foster creativity and innovation

for socioeconomic growth.

  Part 3: Inequality-Reducing Transformation (Pagbabago)

Chapter 8

Expanding Economic Opportunities in Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries

The goal set by the Philippine Government in this “PAGBABAGO” is to have

more economic opportunities for all by 2022. Farmers and fishermen and other working men in

the lagging economic sectors will be given priority and will have easier access to economic

opportunities. The objective of doing this prioritization of lagging sectors is to enable them to

partake in economic activities and growth.

The government will ensure the sustainability of its efforts to improve the

productivity of the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries or the AFF sector and to continuously build

the capacity of AFF stakeholders. The government will implement numerous strategies to

expand the access of farmers and fishermen to economic opportunities. These strategies are:

To improve AFF productivity within the ecological limit by developing an

integrated color-coded agricultural map to identify the comparative advantage of specific areas.

Accelerating construction of disaster- and climate-resilient small-scale irrigation systems and

improve existing ones. Facilitating the use of appropriate farm and fishery machinery and

equipment. Strengthening the extension system (the process of linking AFF stakeholders to

extension workers) that can provide the stakeholders with technical assistance and capacity

building activities. Pursuing an ecosystems approach to fisheries management

To increase AFF-based enterprises by diversifying into commodities with high

value-adding and market potential. Expanding AFF-based enterprises through new and

innovative production and marketing schemes. Strengthening community-based enterprises in

upland areas. Increasing the access to economic opportunities requires facilitating the small

farmers’ and fisherfolk’s access to production markets, new technology, and financing services.

The government will carry out strategies such as:

 To increase the stakeholders’ access to value chains by physically linking

production areas to markets through road and rail-based transport, inter-island water transport

and logistics system. Organizing small farmers and fishermen into formal groups and farms into

clusters to create economies of scale (the lessening of costs due to an increased level of

production). Providing capacity building for small farmers and fishermen on value-adding

activities. Providing non-farm livelihood options, especially to seasonal farm and fishery

workers, whose incomes are irregular and who are vulnerable to shocks.

To increase farmers’ and fishermen’s access to innovative financing by

increasing the number of small farmers and fishermen that are provided with agricultural

insurance. Providing small farmers and fisherfolk easy access to affordable formal credit.

To increase AFF stakeholders’ access to technology by raising investments in

research and development (R&D) for production and post-harvest technologies. Enhancing

capacity of small farmers and fishermen to use better and new technologies.

To increase and protect the access of small farmers and fisherfolk to land and

water resources by ensuring and protecting land tenure security of agrarian reform beneficiaries

(ARBs) by completing the land acquisition and distribution and immediately install ARBs in

awarded lands. Fast tracking the resolution of agrarian-related cases. Revisiting Section 20 of

the Local Government Code, which authorizes local government units to reclassify agricultural

lands for other uses. Completing the delineation of municipal waters. Complementing strategic

efforts with environmental and governance strategies.

 Chapter 9

Expanding Economic Opportunities in Industry and Services Through "Trabaho at

Negosyo"

The goal set by the Philippine government in the Industry and Services (I&S)

sector is to have it globally competitive. Economic ties with other countries will be strengthened,

leading to free trade agreements and other cooperative agreements that can be maximized by

local stakeholders. Citizens will be given access to economic opportunities through job creation

and encouraging entrepreneurship in the country.

Expanding economic opportunities in the I&S entails creating Trabaho and

Negosyo, which will provide income to people and ensure availability of good quality products

and services in the country at competitive prices.

To increase local and foreign direct investments, it is a must to strengthen value

and supply linkages through implementing the comprehensive national industrial strategy;

adopting a holistic market-driven perspective; Improving backbone services such as financial,

telecommunications, distribution, transport, and logistics services; enhancing business services

such as legal and accounting, research and development, and packaging; and implementing the

new medium-term National Tourism Development Plan. It is also necessary to remove

restrictions, provide incentives, and promote job-creating investments through amending

restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution; modernizing the incentive system to remove

nationality and export biases; implementing aggressive investment promotion programs;

addressing cross-cutting issues; and supporting the development of the services sub-sectors

outside value 20. Accelerating the implementation of infrastructure programs and projects is

also necessary in order to increase local and foreign direct investments.

To increase competitiveness, innovativeness, and resilience of Industry & Service

sector, they must develop high value-added, competitive, and sustainable sectors through

improving the competitiveness of the I&S; adopting a cluster-based industrial approach;

providing incentives for green manufacturing; fully implementing the Green Jobs Act; and

focusing attention on boosting services exports. Improving the business climate to encourage

investments is also necessary and it will be accomplished through implementing structural

reforms to create more open, well functioning, transparent, and competitive markets; and

simplifying the rules and regulations on business registration and licensing, entry and exit,

paying taxes, and access to finance. Government will also improve access to technology and

innovation in order to increase competitiveness, innovativeness, and resilience of Industry &

Service sector and this can be done thru establishing the National Quality Infrastructure;

establishing an Inclusive Innovation Center; and encouraging innovation and adoption of new

technologies. The government will also enhance labor capacities through investing in human

capital development; and strengthening industry-academe linkages.

Government will also improve the market access by maximizing opportunities

that expand access to existing and new markets presented by the ASEAN Economic

Community and other preferential trading agreements. Government will also ensure consumer

access to safe and quality goods and services, to do so, they will heighten consumer vigilance

on product safety, value for money, and access to quality goods and services ; enforce

regulations and standards to protect, promote, and empower consumers against unfair trade

practices; build stronger linkages and partnerships with the private sector and professional

associations to strengthen consumer redress mechanisms; harmonize domestic and

international policy frameworks on consumer protection.

Increasing access to economic opportunities entails helping out entrepreneurs,

especially the micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and overseas Filipinos

(OFs). A conductive environment for Negosyo will be created through the following; First,

Improving access to production networks by supporting linkages between MSMEs and large

corporations to facilitate increased participation of the former in global value chains, developing

more inclusive business models and social enterprises and establishing feasible domestic
economic zones for MSMEs. Second, To improve the stakeholders’ access to finance by

streamlining and simplifying loan processes for MSMEs, cooperatives, and OFs, providing

financial literacy training for MSMEs, cooperatives, and OFs and their families, and assessing

MSME-related laws. Also, the government will improve the stakeholders’ productivity, efficiency,

and resilience thru increasing access to technology, implementing MSME Development Plan

and assess MSME-related laws, encouraging entrepreneurship, especially in households of

OFs.
 Chapter 10

Accelerating Human Capital Development

The Philippine Government sets its vision with Filipinos being able have more

opportunities to develop their full potential by 2022. Filipinos will acquire 21st century skills and

competencies because they will have better access to health care services and opportunities At

the same time, they will have easier transition to the workforce.

The government will execute certain strategies to attain its goal of accelerating

human capital development. They will work to improve nutrition and health, ensure availability of

lifelong learning opportunities for all, and increase income-earning ability of the workforce. They

will implement strategies to improve nutrition and health for all. First strategy is to guarantee

care at all life stages by providing quality nutrition and health care interventions at all life stages,

improving health-seeking behavior of the citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Second

strategy is to ensure access through functional service delivery and it encompasses ensuring

functional and efficient networks of health care providers, upgrading and equipping health

facilities, and improving human resources for health. Third strategy is to sustain health

financing; expand health insurance coverage and improve benefit packages. Cross-cutting

strategies for health; invest in e-Health and data collection mechanisms for decision making to

address data gaps; elicit multi-sector, multi-stakeholder support for nutrition and health.

Citizens must be provided with access to lifelong learning opportunities in order

to create a globally-competitive knowledge economy. These opportunities will be extended even

to the vulnerable sectors and those who cannot be reached by formal education. There are

strategies that will be implemented to ensure lifelong learning opportunities for all. The first one

is to achieve quality accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education for all; strengthen early

childhood care and development programs; pursue full implementation of the K to 12 program;

strengthen the inclusion programs to reach stakeholders outside the formal education system;

develop and improve interventions to keep children in school; continue curricular reforms;
enhance teacher competencies. Second strategy is to improve the quality of higher and

technical education and research for equity and global competitiveness; enhance community-

based training for special groups; provide access to quality and relevant Technical-Vocational

Education and Training (TVET) opportunities; ensure globally-competitive TVET programs;

expand access to higher education; integrate 21st Century competencies; promote creative arts;

strengthen Quality Assurance Mechanism; improve research, innovation, and extension

services; expand Government-Academe-Industry collaboration; promote excellence among

higher education institutions; allow and attract reputed foreign professors and researchers,

especially in the Science, Technology, and Innovation field, to be appointed in higher education

institutions.

There will also be strategies that will be executed deliberately to improve the

employability and income earning potential of individuals. First, to improve employability:

encourage skills development and retooling through continuing education and training;

strengthen employment facilitation services ; strengthen and expand internship, apprenticeship,

and dual training programs; implement programs that encourage women to participate in the

labor market. Second, to improve productivity: strengthen the implementation of the two-tiered

wage system or the process by which the minimum wage is determined and the link between

wage and productivity of employees is put in place; ensure safety and health in the workplace;

nurture workplace harmony. Last, to enhance labor mobility and income security: provide

income support through an unemployment insurance and emergency employment; enhance the

efficacy of the minimum wage policy.

 Chapter 11

Reducing Vulnerability of Individuals and Families

This chapter discusses the PDP's aims for the Filipino individuals and families

that include coping up with risks and problems that they face. Such risk factors that the PDP is

aiming to help them are inherent vulnerabilities among the children, women, persons with

disabilities, indigenous people, and older persons; economic risks that workers face in and out

of the country; natural hazards and human-induced shocks and; governance and political risks.

As we all know, there have been programs implemented that will help and protect

Filipino individuals and families, but those are still not enough to fully assist the Filipino citizens.

So, PDP aims to reduce the risks mentioned above by improving the existing programs. At the

end of the plan target, PDP aims to achieve 100% of population covered by SSS, GSIS,

Philhealth, OWWA; to reduce the casualties from disasters to zero and; to 100% provide

emergency shelter and relief assistance to any of those affected by natural and induced-hazard

calamities.

To reduce risks faced by vulnerable groups, as for the individual and economic

risks, the PDP aims to implement a convergence approach to help the poor and vulnerable

become self-sufficient reliant by providing them programs that will help them engage in

livelihood opportunities and providing employment. This also aims to build an environment that

respects, protects, and gives importance to the rights of every children, involving the reduce by

30% in the child labor, and providing help to the child beneficiaries as well as their families.

Some policies and programs included are providing insurance, protection, and job opportunities

to persons with disabilities; maximizing the benefits, as well as the pensions and protection of

the Filipino workers inside and outside the country through SSS, GSIS, Philhealth, and PAG-

IBIG; implementation of programs and policies for the senior citizens.

To deal with natural and induced-hazards, PDP will also roll out climate and

disaster vulnerability and risk assessment nationwide with the help of Climate Change
Commissions (CCC) and National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management (NDRRMC). Also,

to help the disaster victims by providing safe areas for shelters and relocations, helping them

engage into livelihood opportunities, and provide mental and psychosocial support.

To address governance and political risks, policies and programs are also carried

out addressing the concerns of welfare of children, responding to all cases of victims of violating

the rights of children; to institutionalize programs for legal documentation of identification and

nationality providing that no person is stateless; and reduce the adverse impacts of

implementation of policies, programs and such.

The PDP also aims not just to implement those programs and policies involved

but also to monitor those making sure that they are fully met.
 Chapter 12

Building Safe and Secure Communities

The government created housing programs to build a secured and safe shelter

for the people of the Philippines who has a family and cannot afford to buy their own house. The

accomplish rate of the said project is already about 83%, although it is said to be overrated

since the houses that are counted includes the housing projects made for the victims of the

super typhoon Yolanda, that struck the country and left many fatalities and destroyed thousands

of houses.

The project, though, still faces numerous problems like financial appropriation,

slow process in land acquisition, licensing, agency/local government unit clearances, and

unclear rules and differences between local and national policies. Based on the numbers given,

it is very clear that our government does not give much attention compared to what is needed in

terms of conducting free housing projects; it is said that the financial appropriation given to

housing sector is only about 5% of the national budget, or about 12% of the country’s GDP. The

problems on giving houses also arises from projects like this, because the government can’t

give the house to the underprivileged or poor people unless the land where the house is lying is

already legally acquired. An inclusive and sustainable development framework is also needed to

cope up with the housing need of the people; it is approximated that the housing need from

2017-2022 will be about 6.80 million units, and this will be a big problem since the government

does not pay much attention to this matter.

There are certain strategies being implemented by the government to achieve

targets for building safe and secure communities:

Develop integrated neighborhoods and sustainable communities

particularly for low-income households. The government will implement the National Spatial

Strategy (NSS) which seeks to address the challenges of agglomeration economies,

connectivity, and vulnerability.

 Intensify implementation of alternatives and innovative solutions in

addressing the housing needs of the lower income classes and vulnerable sector.

Solutions such as public rental housing, mixed-income/mixed-use housing development,

housing micro-finance initiatives, incremental housing programs, and housing cooperatives will

be used to enhance housing affordability.

Strengthen decentralization of housing and urban development

interventions. As prescribed by the LGC, LGUs shall be at the forefront of housing and urban

development, with the support of the national government.

Adopt viable land acquisition approaches and fast-track the inventory of

lands for socialized housing development. The upscaling of land acquisition approaches

aside from land ownership will be pursued to address the perennial problem of identifying

suitable land, particularly in urban areas.

Mainstream program convergence budgeting in housing and resettlement,

and innovative housing finance modalities. A programmatic and convergent approach to

planning and budgeting for housing and resettlement interventions will be institutionalized in the

national budget process.

Adopt a community-driven development (CDD) approach in shelter

provision towards safe and secure communities. A gender responsive CDD (“peoples’ plan”)

approach will be promoted to involve the beneficiaries in the entire development process.
 Part 4: Increasing Growth Potential (Patuloy na Pag-unlad)

Chapter 13

Reaching for the Demographic Dividend

This chapter is under the PDP pillar "Patuloy na Pag-unlad" that tackles about

the importance of the age structure in the Philippines and the challenges as well as the

strategies that could help the economy to reach the demographic dividend. The factors that

could affect reaching the demographic dividend are population growth rates and distribution,

health, education, employment, and finances.

As years pass by, the country's population is increasing but is unevenly

distributed regionally that leads to inequality of opportunities and outcomes. Based on the data,

the Philippines' population of young people now leads and having large number of young people

also means continuous increase of population for they will soon to enter the child-beaing years.

Also, having that, indicates a larger number of dependency ratio, because although part of the

young population is included in the working age, still, that does not mean they are all engaged in

the productive labor for some are studying and others are unemployed.

So, in order for the Philippines to achieve the demographic dividend, the PDP

aims to facilitate the age structure of the population by reducing mortality, fertility, and

unemployment rate, as well as improving the quality of human capital, savings build-up and

population and development integration. To reduce the mortality rate among maternal, infants,

and child, health care programs will be raised, which are discussed in Chapter 11. On the other

hand, to reduce the fertility rate, there will be policies and programs that will assist couples and

individuals be educated about reproductive health, family planning, and responsible parenthood,

especially now that the country is facing continuous increase in teenage pregnancy. To improve

quality of human capital, the government will be giving health insurances and services for the

people. In fact, the quality of education is improved by the new curriculum, K to 12, which has

just started at the year 2017, developing students' competencies and skills. It also involves
sexuality education guiding students make informed choices and decisions that could affect

their future. And with regards to improving employment rate, programs are implemented helping

Filipinos, especially those who are unemployed, by providing job and livelihood opportunities for

them.

To ensure that plans for the programs in reaching the demographic dividend are

established, the nation and local institutions, as well as the legislative support are needed in

addressing the policies and programs.

 Chapter 14

Vigorously Advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation

Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) plays an important role in economic

and social progress. It is a key driver of the long-term growth of an economy.

The people of the Philippines, especially to those who are less privileged, are

ignorant in terms of modern technologies. This significantly affects the production of many

sectors such as agricultural industry and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These

modern technologies can be a big opportunity for the Philippines to cope up with other

successful countries or at least maximize the production of our industry.

Despite of having an obvious need for modern technologies, the government still

invests a low amount of money in research and development. While nominal R&D expenditures

increased by 80 percent to P15.92 billion in 2013, the proportion of R&D spending to Gross

Domestic Product (GDP) stood at only 0.14 percent. This is substantially below the 1 percent

benchmark recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO) and the global average of 2.04 percent. It is also low compared to

other ASEAN countries, such as Vietnam (0.19 %), Thailand (0.36%), Malaysia (1.09%), and

Singapore (2.0%)

Another big problem is the education system of the Philippines in which the

education is often expensive and does not conform to the standards of other successful or

developing countries. Out of 36, 517 R&D personnel, only 14% have PhDs, 38% have Master’s

degrees, and 34% have Bachelor’s degrees up to post-BS degrees. And graduates from related

courses also have low opportunities in the country. The Philippines also overlooks this sector,

leaving a lot of problems unsolved, like employment for R&D sector, and its wages.
 Part 5: Enabling and Supportive Economic Environment

Chapter 15

Ensuring Sound Macroeconomic Policy

A fiscal sector, monetary policy, and strategic external trade policy is a great help

in utilizing economic growth of the country. In a country that faces a lot of problems and

challenges, responsible and supportive government is needed in order to achieve the growth

that they aim. This chapter discusses the strategies in achieving the Philippine economic growth

and in a way of getting along with the other growing counties with the help of National

Competition Policy (NCP) implementation.

In order to achieve a responsible, strategic and supportive fiscal sector, tax

reform policy is developed into more efficient, fairer and simpler system to improve satisfaction

of tax payers, reduce costs of compliance in paying taxes, and develop public trust. Also,

encouraging private sectors to engage in public-private partnership to add up the resources for

other public goods and services; and increasing the national budget through proper

management of expenditures and debts to be used in projects for economic growth.

Another expected outcome is a resilient and inclusive monetary and financial

sectors wherein existing policies and programs for implementation will be continued providing

suitable inflation to avoid external shock that could cut the flow of economic growth; promoting

financial stability through regional and international cooperation; and provide efficient and

innovative domestic micro-macro measures.

And to implement strategic external trade policy, the government will be providing

support in importing and exporting products, as well as to promoting local products in and out of

the country; and expanding the market access and enhancing market intelligence for

competence.
 Chapter 16

Leveling the Playing Field through a National Competition Policy

The Philippines is a third-world country that needs aggressive progress in

economy to be in the same level as its neighbor countries. By 2022, the Philippine market will

be more efficient and competitive, where small entrepreneurs and firms thrive besides larger

players, hence allowing consumers to have better and wider choices of goods and services. The

targets are indicated in Table 16.2 of the PDP 2017-2022.

A National Competition Policy should be formulated and implemented in order to

achieve the sector’s expected outcomes of improving consumer welfare and market efficiency. It

aims to control the regulations and administrative procedures of government agencies to

promote competition.

To diminish anti-competitive practices, reduce barriers to entry, and reduce

limits to entrepreneurship.

 Review potentially anti-competitive legislations and policies that may significantly

prevent, restrict, or lessen competition.

 Analyze competition issues in priority sectors.

 Investigate conduct and agreements that may greatly prevent, restrict, or lessen

competition.

 Promote competition-related policies and best practices.

 Conduct capacity-building activities for government agencies and other institutions.

 Institutionalize a mechanism for implementing the NCP.


 Part 6: Foundations for Sustainable Development

Chapter 17

Attaining Just and Lasting Peace

Armed conflict in the community could be a hindrance in attaining just and peace

life, especially for the people who are affected of it. So, the PDP aims to fully end conflicts with

armed groups, hopefully by the end of 2022, and develop a peaceful community with the

implemented development projects.

The government will continue negotiating and developing implementation of

peace agreements with all the internal armed conflict groups such as Moro Islamic Liberation

Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) towards healing of Bangsamoro; and

will protect the affected and vulnerable areas as well as the people. The government will also be

conducting programs for socioeconomic development like Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan

(PAMANA) to help the families to fully return the normal life that they are all aiming; to empower

them to address any conflicts in their communities; and to inform them that the government will

have their back by being responsive to peace, security, and conflict issues.

To ensure that the strategies, programs, and policies are delivered, legislation

action is needed, so there will be laws supporting the said programs, policies, and agreements

regarding on attaining just and lasting peace in the country.

 Chapter 18

Ensuring Security, Public Order, and Public Safety

National security and public order are essential elements in building the

foundation of a better country. It is also one of the goals of the previous Philippine Development

Plan. The targets have been met but the current administration wants to intensify the efforts of

the former administration. The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 intends t significantly

reduce criminality, terrorism and other any other forms of threats to the Filipino inside and

outside the country by 2022.

The strategies to implement this are; to uphold and protect territorial integrity and

sovereignty. This includes promoting respect on the rules that exist for the West Philippine Sea;

engaging and participating on diplomatic talks regarding to the issue on territories; enhancing

and modernization of Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard.

Ensuring public safety; the administration wants to increase police visibility;

modernize the system for responding to crime and emergencies; improve the capability of other

security forces; ensure that all law enforcement and military operations comply to the

requirements of the international human rights and domestic laws and; enhance the capability of

the security sector for humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

To significantly reduce all forms of criminality and illegal drugs; to intensify law

enforcement operations to fight criminality, terrorism, and trafficking; modernization of the police

and military capability and; to deepen the partnership that helps fight human trafficking.
 Chapter 19

Accelerating Strategic Infrastructure Development

Problems in infrastructures are some of the major problems that the Philippines

is facing. Such infrastructure problems are problems in utilities, transport system, information

and communications technology, and social infrastructure. PDP stated, in this chapter, the

strategies on enhancing the services regarding on that matter for the Philippines' socioeconomic

development.

The government will be increasing planning, programming, and budget

management in implementing infrastructure development, with coordination of public and private

sectors and institutionalizing infrastructure-related research and development (R&D). First, on

transport system, PDP aims to enhance its efficiency by providing enough, accessible, reliable,

and safe access for people and goods; and to improve facilities and services, in all forms, on

land, air and water transport system. Second, on water system, by encouraging investments in

water supply and resources, sewerage, and sanitation; and by formulating improved master

plan for irrigation development and flood management. Third, supporting investments for

development of energy infrastructure projects, natural gas industry, as well as to solar and wind

renewable energy sources; to ensure and provide efficient electricity services, prioritizing

unelectrified areas; considering the impacts on prices, farmer incomes, and environmental

protection; also, conducting programs on energy efficiency and conservation. Fourth,

development in information and communications technology through deployment of its

infrastructure and enhancing the country's e-government system for good governance. Lastly,

development in social infrastructure in education, health services and facilities; providing

secured and safe from hazards to unprivileged and homeless families; implementing and

monitoring programs and policies on health care and solid waste management; and provide

better management in prison and jail facilities.

 Chapter 20

Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean and Healthy Environment

The environment and natural resources is also important in country’s

development. It provides foods, raw materials, fresh air, and habitats for other species. It also

supports the agricultural sector of our country. So the PDP 2017-2022 intends to improve the

condition of our environment.

The strategies that the government wants to implement are: to sustain

biodiversity and functioning ecosystem. This includes, adopting the ridge-to-reef approach and

intensify sustainable integrated area development; conservation and protection of the forest;

rehabilitation and restoration of the degraded forestlands, watersheds, and strengthening the

law that protects them; strengthen the law against the illegal trade of wildlife species; improve

land administration and management and; strengthen research and development on forest ,

watershed, and biodiversity.

 Part 7: From Plan to Action

Chapter 21

Plan Implementation and Monitoring

Having all the plans and strategies for Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-

2022 also appeal to the coordination of all agencies, private sectors, civil society, and

development partners in order to efficiently and effectively achieve the planned pillars:

Enhancing the social fabric (Malasakit), Reducing inequality (Pagbabago), and Increasing

Potential Growth (Patuloy na Pag-unlad) through economic growth and development. National

Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board committees, Cabinet Clusters, and Inter-

Agency committees will be monitoring the implementation and outcomes of the policies,

programs, and strategies of the PDP using data from Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA).

The first pillar, Enhancing the Social Fabric (Malasakit) shall build a high-trust

society wherein enhancing the governance and administration fairness, cleanliness, efficiency,

concerning the people of the Philippines are the main focus. On the second pillar, Reducing

Inequality (Pagbabago), focusing on reducing inequality and monitoring social and economic

development on agriculture, industry, and services. Lastly, on the third pillar, Increasing Potential

Growth (Patuloy na Pag-unlad), focuses on monitoring development on science, technology,

and innovation, as well as ensuring policies and programs are implemented for the sake of the

Filipino community.
 CRITIQUE

After reading Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 signed and approved by

the country’s current President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we realized that it is so promising. Right

from the introduction, it reflects that the Duterte administration really knows what Filipino people

aims to be and to have. They knew the life most of the Filipino families wants to have but can’t

achieve because of so much poverty.

We are also delighted for they also mentioned about how the environment has

come to destruction and the continuous and fatal change in climate. That they are aware of

what is happening in nature, and that they are going to find ways to resolve the problem for they

say it greatly affects the country’s economic growth. But to be honest, it is somehow

disappointing that they know that the environment is slowly dying. That they have the ways to

bring back the beauty of the Philippine environment yet, they did not even realize that the

biggest root of the problem are those mining companies who have all the connections and back-

door deals in the government. That no matter how much the environment is destroyed, they

won't care as long as there is a big amount to be deposited on their accounts in exchange of

covering those company’s taxes, or their broken rules and penalties. This may be somehow

funny but those who sent our teachers to teach us to take good care of the environment were

the one’s who is destroying them.

Also, we have observed that they mentioned about the claim on West Philippine

Sea, which we guess is now a problem left unsolved and forgotten. Filipinos are left wondering

why we are restricted in the property entitled in our country. The scarborough shore is another

thing too. Why Filipino fishermen are not allowed to catch fish around that property that we

own? Is it because the Duterte administration is making good bridge of relationship with China?

Well how about the country’s and Filipinos rights with that resources? To be honest, we feel left

hanging around wondering of all this matters. And it is really disappointing that they did not even

mention about this anymore. Not even in the television or in news or even in tabloids. As of now,
I was disappointed they they rather focus on the Trillanes case rather than focusing on a

mountain pile of problems the country has.

PDP also mentioned the senior citizens. They already estimated how much is the

increase of senior citizens on the upcoming years. And our country is one of those with least

number of population of senior citizens. Maybe because they die at an early age like 75 and

earlier. Sad to say, senior citizens are supposed to have their benefits and financial support for

they can no longer support their finances alone. But, most of them nowadays, are no longer

receiving even a cent from that so called benefits and financial support. Maybe let's say that the

government is really giving a budget for senior citizens, however, they lack of monitoring if this

financial supports are disseminated to those who must receive it. It’s no longer a surprise

knowing that it only end up to the persons in the position’s bank account.

The agricultural economy, isn't it ironic that our government is aiming of a better

agricultural economy, but the reality is they don’t even care on that anymore? Are we criticizing

that much? One proof is their rotten idea of importing rather than producing. Philippines is such

a beautiful country which is so blessed with rich land, water resources and other agricultural and

natural resources. But look at the Philippine agriculture today, we can observe lack of support

from government for farmers, lack of irrigation, no sufficient fund for agriculture, and importing of

rice instead of producing. Overall, there is no longer a future in agricultural matter for the

government is no longer taking this as one of the most important sectors that should also be

prioritized in the economy.

The expansion of job opportunities in industry and services, acceleration of

human capital, reducing of vulnerability in individuals and families. The PDP has mentioned that

they would be offering jobs for the Filipino people, so they won’t have to leave their families to

work abroad. But as of 2018, we still don’t see these promised jobs. And then, the said

acceleration of human capital, well as of 2018, all we felt was the continuous acceleration of

inflation rate. Also, the reducing of vulnerability in individuals and families, they think that 10,000
monthly income is enough to pay and buy the needs of every family, especially those who are in

the lower levels of the society, for a month, but is actually not, considering the continuous

increase in inflation rate. For us, they are just showing us that they really don’t have any idea

how poor and average Filipino families are affected by so much inflation.

Safe and secure communities, increasing growth potential, enabling and

supporting economic development, foundation and sustainable development and they also

discuss on how they are going to turn all their plans into action are also some of the promises

the PDP had listed.

Now, let us criticize if those goals are met or if there are any progress, as of

2018. To be honest, all we felt this year was the inflation that continuously grow in rate. Also, the

BUILD, BUILD, BUILD project for the development of the Philippine industry. Our agricultural

economy, as of now, is still unmanaged and just continuously been wasted. Our resources are

still being destroyed by those big mining companies. The senior citizen benefits are still not

given the benefits that they deserve. The promised jobs still unreached. And the claim for the

West Philippine sea and the scarborough shore is still not on hand.

Enhancing the social fabric or MALASAKIT. According to PDP, the basic

requirement in inclusive development is that the Filipino people must have malasakit and trust to

the government so as the government will have malasakit to the Filipino people. Malasakit

according to PDP means ensuring the people of clean government by means of reducing the

corruption in the government, achieving seamless delivery, enhancing administrative

governance, fully engaging and empowering citizenship and strengthening civil service. To be

honest, it’s already 2018 and corruption and back-door deals are still present in the government.

Most people who are sitting in position in the government are still after the money of the people.

And because of that, we guess that with that kind of government, the enhancement of

governance is still impossible. However, we can see that the strengthening of civil service is
kinda working. As of now, we can’t see an improvement in reducing corruption in the

government.

PDP, as promising malasakit for the people said that they will pursue fair and

swift administration of justice by enhancing civil, criminal, commercial and administrative justice

system and by improving sector efficiency and accountability. Filipino people are still hoping for

this. That justice will be fair no matter if you are rich or poor. That they won’t be accepting

payment for an unfair justice. That justice will deliver fair and equal judgement and that they will

enhance sector efficiency. They also promised of promoting Filipino culture and values. Well,

with this they will fail. For even the government system is American-styled and almost

everything is copy-pasted from American government. Overall, PDP’s promise of MALASAKIT is

still a promise and a hope for Filipinos. It is 2018 and the promise of malasakit is not yet felt.

INEQUALITY-REDUCING TRANSFORMATION or PAGBABAGO. Here they

promise of expanding economic opportunities in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries; expanding

economic opportunities in industry and services through trabaho at negosyo; and accelerating

human capital development; reducing vulnerability of individuals and families. In this part, we

are just disappointed that they give focus on our agricultural economy. More disappointed when

we hear that the government don’t put budget for this. It is really sad to think that they are

wasting this kind of our resources. Also, they tend to make lands into housing projects and

factories or industries rather than turning it and giving it to farmers. Since the governments

focus is in the expansion of industry and services, the expansion of economic opportunities

through trabaho becomes visible and possible. A lot of Filipino people are offered jobs to sustain

the needs of the family. However, in terms of human capital and workers salary, the total amount

of the salary turns out to be not enough to sustain the family needs especially that the inflation is

continuously rising.

INCREASING GROWTH POTENTIAL or the TUNAY NA PAGBABAGO. The

Philippine government is looking forward in having an updated technology for the country. They
also promise a safe and secure communities, ensuring sound macroeconomics policy. As of

now, the true change is not yet felt. But as one of the Filipino citizens, we are also looking

forward that this promises will soon happen. Anyways, Duterte administration still have the

remaining years to make their promises happen.

So far, the set target has not happened yet, as of the year 2018. Every promise is

still unreflected in this country. The nation is not as peace as what the people are aiming to be.

Filipinos are still looking forward to encourage the Philippine government to make

all those promises happen. Their promise of making the poverty rate of 21% will be drag down

to 16% is still unfelt but we are also expecting for that. For now, if the government is having a

hard time to help every Filipino people to lift up, then we the people must help each other for we

are each others hope.