DO WE HAVE A LONG-TERM PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN?

DO WE HAVE A LONG-TERM PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN? Do we have a long-term Philippine development plan? The short answer is yes — but with some caveats. It goes by the name Ambisyon Natin 2040, a vision statement introduced in 2016 by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). However, calling it a "plan" might be a stretch, as it’s more of a wish list or aspirational statement rather than a concrete roadmap with clear programs and policies. Ambisyon Natin 2040 imagines a Philippines where every Filipino enjoys a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay” (a stable, comfortable, and secure life) by the year 2040. It spans four presidential terms — from 2016 to 2040 — but the document itself offers no clear guarantees on how successive administrations will commit to that vision. In essence, it’s a dream, not a detailed action plan. But, for all its limitations, having Ambisyon Natin 2040 is still better than having nothing at all. At the very least, it creates a broad framework that can guide government agencies, development planners, and policymakers. Medium-Term Plans: The Real Action Plans The reality, however, is that the Philippines primarily relies on Medium-Term Philippine Development Plans (MTPDPs), which are crafted and approved every six years to align with the term of the incumbent President. Right now, we are operating under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Order No. 14. Every president, in theory, “owns” the MTPDP created during his or her term. However, one common criticism is that these documents often end up gathering dust on shelves instead of being faithfully followed. There is no binding mechanism that forces any administration to strictly adhere to its own MTPDP. The MTPDP is supposed to guide national policies and programs, but there’s often a disconnect between what’s on paper and what happens on the ground. Political priorities, emergencies, and changing circumstances frequently derail the best-laid plans. What’s more, ruling political parties rarely adopt the MTPDP as their official platform, despite the plan’s purpose of aligning government action. Linking Plans to the Long-Term Vision In theory, each MTPDP should contribute to the realization of Ambisyon Natin 2040 — each six-year plan acting as a building block toward the 2040 vision. But in practice, there’s little evidence that MTPDPs are consciously crafted with Ambisyon Natin 2040 in mind. The long-term vision often feels like an orphan project — unclaimed and largely ignored. The reality is that long-term planning is difficult in a country where politics often takes precedence over continuity. Each administration brings its own agenda, and while some elements of the MTPDP may survive, others are discarded or revised based on the sitting president’s priorities. Presidential Approval and the Role of NEDA Legally, the President must approve and sign off on the MTPDP, typically via an Executive Order. This step gives the plan official status, ensuring that national agencies, government-owned corporations, financial institutions, and even local government units (LGUs) are expected to align their own programs and budgets with the plan’s strategies. This was precisely the case when President Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 14, adopting the PDP 2023-2028. It sets development targets and economic strategies aimed at accelerating post-pandemic recovery, creating jobs, and reducing poverty. Alignment with Global Goals — and What Happens After 2030? The MTPDP is also supposed to align with global commitments, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have a target date of 2030. This raises an interesting question — how does the government plan to transition from the SDGs (which end in 2030) to Ambisyon Natin 2040, which ends a decade later? There is little public discussion on how these timelines fit together. Ideally, the SDGs should act as stepping stones toward achieving Ambisyon Natin 2040, but without clear integration and monitoring, there’s no guarantee that will happen. What Happens After 2028? After the current PDP (2023-2028) expires, the next plan will cover 2029-2034. But like its predecessors, it will largely depend on the priorities of the next president. Whether or not that future MTPDP will faithfully build toward Ambisyon Natin 2040 remains to be seen. A Call for Continuity If the Philippines truly wants to achieve its long-term vision, it must establish stronger mechanisms for policy continuity across administrations. There needs to be: Institutional buy-in from all branches and levels of government. Public awareness and engagement to hold leaders accountable. A strong monitoring and evaluation system to track how each MTPDP contributes to Ambisyon Natin 2040. Who Owns Ambisyon Natin 2040? Perhaps the biggest challenge is this: Who truly owns Ambisyon Natin 2040? Right now, it seems like nobody — not even NEDA, the agency that created it. Until we have a strong sense of national ownership over long-term plans, and a cultural shift toward policy consistency over political convenience, Ambisyon Natin 2040 risks remaining just that — an ambition, rather than a reality. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 04-02-2025