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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Ambitious’ Du30 upbeat on PH economic growth

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President Rodrigo Duterte   expressed optimism that the Philippines would become an upper middle-income economy by 2020, citing the improvement in infrastructure, public sector and social welfare programs.

The President, who graced the 45th anniversary of the   National Economic and Development Authority, said   he is “quite ambitious” but expressed optimism at the same time.

“Quite ambitious… I hope so. In the fullness of God’s time, we may be lucky,” he said.

“I am optimistic that we can achieve this goal because of the professionalism of our Neda officials and personnel. Your accomplishments in the past year and a half speak a lot about your skill and competence to fulfill your mandate,” Duterte said in his speech, where he recognized the dedication and commitment of the   men and women of Neda in shaping the country’s socio-economic agenda in the past four decades.

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“Neda is the primary agency tasked to oversee the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, and will play a crucial role in the medium-term vision of turning the Philippines into an upper-middle income economy by the year 2022,” the President said.

President Duterte cited some of the agency’s undertakings that uphold the integrity and efficiency of the national development agenda such as the streamlining of guidelines in the processing and approval of flagship projects; the creation of a task force to ensure their timely implementation, and the integration of 15 Regional Development Plans into the PDP.

“We will build on these gains by boosting development in the regions,” he said, adding that the government will create more jobs, improve social services, encourage innovation and connect the country to growth centers by aligning regional plans with the national development agenda.

“Indeed, we have a bright future ahead and I count on Neda to never waver in supporting government’s middle-term and long-term socio-economic agenda. Always uphold good governance in the civil service as you provide direction to the formulation of our economic policies.”

The President also called on Neda to ensure that public interest remains at the heart of all government plans, programs and projects.

“With Neda at the helm, I am confident that we can realize our vision of a prosperous Philippines by working together in laying a solid foundation for a stronger and more resilient nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the President reminded all government officials to stay true to their oath in serving the people.

“No special significance is attached by just placing there officials of government. We are all workers of government and we work for the people,” he said.

He cited his instructions to Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald dela Rosa to place a notice in casinos that workers of government are not allowed inside.

“That is not my rule. That was the rule of Marcos which I think is appropriately also suited for all times,” he said.

“I expect everybody to just honor it. I said, it’s not my rule. It’s Marcos’ era. But it would be good as any other time to remind you that it does not look good,” he added.

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