NEDA names 3 moves to draw in more investments

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is undertaking three initiatives starting 2011 for investment programming, according to the lead agency tasked to advice the rest of government on socioeconomic issues.

According to the NEDA statement, its first initiative is the completion of the Public Investments Program (PIP) 2011-2016 by the mid-year in order to identify pipeline projects for the next three years.

The PIP will contain the priority projects to be undertaken in line with the recently approved Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.

Second is the streamlining of appraisal and approval procedures for projects.

Third is the successful transfer of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Center (now the Public-Private Partnership or PPP Center) to NEDA to facilitate projects that can be carried out under PPP.

Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr., whom the Commission on Appointments (CA) has confirmed as secretary of socioeconomic planning and director-general of NEDA, said in a statement that NEDA has also been spearheading extensions of the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016.

One is for regional and area development plans to be more area-specific and program and project-oriented.

Another is a long-term vision and plan for the country over the next two decades.

During the CA deliberations, NEDA said, Paderanga also highlighted the important function of NEDA as the lead agency providing policy advice on socioeconomic issues to President Benigno S. Aquino III and the rest of government.

“We are guided by the president’s objective of inclusive – not trickle-down and jobless – growth that produces employment and reduces poverty,” he said.

In the course of improving these functions, the Cabinet official said that human resource development would be a crucial factor. “Also one of the goals of my program is to enhance the analytical, policy, ethical and working standards at NEDA. This would be done through scholarships, in-house and outside training and aggressive recruitment in order to reinforce the already competent staff we have,” Paderanga said.

This is the second time that the CA confirmed Paderanga’s appointment as the country’s chief economist.

He was confirmed by the CA to the same post in 1990, serving until the end of the presidency of former President Corazon Aquino.