The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) recently commemorated a significant national milestone, celebrating 90 years of structured socioeconomic planning in the Philippines. The event underscored the current administration's dedication to long-term, evidence-driven development strategies.
A Legacy of Deliberate Development
During the culminating event held on Wednesday, December 17, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan reflected on the enduring importance of national planning institutions. He emphasized that the 90th anniversary is not merely a historical marker but a reaffirmation of the critical role planners play in charting the nation's future.
"History teaches us that development does not happen by chance," Balisacan stated. He traced the evolution from the National Economic Council (NEC) established on December 23, 1935, through its various forms including the Economic Planning Board (EPB) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), to the present-day DEPDev.
He paid tribute to generations of planners, analysts, and technical staff whose work has steered the country through periods of change and crisis, making socioeconomic planning a stabilizing force.
Institutional Evolution and Strengthened Mandate
The transformation into the modern DEPDev was formalized by the Economy, Planning, and Development Act (Republic Act No. 12145) on April 10, 2025. This law elevated the former NEDA into a full department, granting it strengthened institutional independence and an enhanced role as the executive branch's primary policy, planning, and coordinating body.
This change ushered in a new era focused on long-term strategic and evidence-based policymaking, linking planning directly with budgeting, implementation, and monitoring to ensure tangible results.
Forward-Looking Challenges and Collaborative Vision
Looking ahead, Secretary Balisacan outlined the formidable challenges facing the nation's planners. He pointed to climate change, rapid technological shifts, geopolitical uncertainties, and persistent inequalities as issues demanding a more future-ready and robust planning system.
"DEPDev’s mandate is to link planning with budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, so that good plans lead to real and measurable improvements in people’s lives," he explained.
The chief economist called for sustained collaboration across government agencies, the private sector, and development partners. "By continuing to work together... we can help ensure that growth remains inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for all Filipinos," Balisacan concluded.
The milestone event gathered former officials, development partners, and current DEPDev staff. Keynote messages were delivered by Executive Secretary and former NEDA Director-General Ralph G. Recto. Support was also expressed by representatives from the World Bank, JICA, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Highlights of the celebration included the unveiling of a commemorative stamp by Postmaster General Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, symbolizing people-centered development, and the launch of a coffee table book documenting nine decades of Philippine socioeconomic planning.
