NEDA pushes passage of economic bills on agri, industries, services

MANILA, Philippines — The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is pushing for the passage of several bills aimed at expanding economic opportunities in the agriculture, industry and services sector.

During NEDA’s recent briefing in Congress on the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration in line with the medium term update of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, NEDA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie Edillon said the headline indicators for the country remain broadly on track. 

Social indicators such as poverty reduction and easing of food inflation are on track although adjustments were made for economic output targets accounting for the growth slowdown this year. 

To address this, Edillon said key reforms must be made to support the country’s major economic sectors. 

In the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sector, NEDA is pushing for the passage of the following laws:  National Land Use, Establishment of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund, Strengthening of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Magna Carta for Young Farmers and Strengthening the Agricultural and Rural Financing System, 

“We are recommending the prioritization of the National Land Use Bill because as per our study, one of the reasons for the reduction in productivity is the reduction in agricultural land itself. So there really is a need to define its limits,” Edillon told lawmakers. 

During the Nov. 13 committee hearing on the National Land Use Act (NaLUA) at the House of Representatives, lawmakers expressed willingness to pass the bill, but said it would need a stronger push from the executive branch by way of an executive version that could be harmonized with the House version. 

This is because the bill continues to languish in the legislative mill because of persistent opposition in the Senate. This despite being consistently identified as a priority piece of legislation by President Duterte in his State of the Nation Addresses since 2017. 

The bill, which also has several counterparts in the 18th Congress aims to ensure the sustainable and efficient use of the country’s land and physical resources.  

It likewise aims to harmonize sector-specific land use policies and institutionalize land use planning.

Edillion said the bill for the strengthening of the country’s crop insurance system “takes into cognizance of the climate change and its effects” while the magna carta for young farmers would establish programs for young farmers and institutionalize their representation in agricultural decision-making and policy-making processes. 

“To entice more young farmers, it is important to state what their rights are,” she said. 

In the industry sector, priority bills identified in line with the PDP update include the National Quality Infrastructure System, Amendment of the Consumer Act, e-Vehicles Bill. 

“The challenge is still the weak forward and backward linkages across industries,” said Edillon, noting this is caused by the inadequate logistics system and fragmented initiatives to enhance sector productivity. 

In the services sector, NEDA is pushing for the passage of the following laws: Amendments to Retail Trade Act, Open Access in Data Transmission Act and Amendments to Public Service Act, Amendments to the Foreign Service Act and Amendment of the Magna Carta for MSMEs. 

Edillon said implementing these reforms would address the restrictive environment in investments in the services sector, which is the main driver of economy.