National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan chairs the 139th meeting of the board of trustees of the Philippine Institute For Development Studies on April 3, 2024 at the PIDS Office in Quezon City. PIDS, an attached agency of NEDA, serves as the government’s primary socioeconomic policy think tank. PIDS has conducted policy-oriented studies to assist policymakers and planners in crafting development policies, plans, and programs based on sound research evidence.
Chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the NEDA Board, in its 15th meeting on April 25, 2024, approved the Department of Education’s Basic Education Development Plan for 2030 and the MATATAG Agenda, which aims to provide all children, out-of-school youth, and adults with equal access to quality basic education.
It also approved the changes to the parameters, terms, and conditions of the Public-Private Partnership for the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital Cancer Center, including an increase in the project cost from P6.05 billion to P9.49 billion and the new guidelines of the NEDA Board Investment Coordination Committee covering the review and approval of National PPP Proposals to make the process shorter and more efficient.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who serves as the board’s vice chair, said the recently-approved items would promote Filipinos’ access to high-quality lifelong learning and better health facilities and create a streamlined process for high-impact PPPs. “The NEDA Board recognizes the importance of human development in pursuing social and economic transformation. The BEDP 2030 is the country’s first medium-term plan for basic education, covering formal K-to-12 education and non-formal education for youth and adults. This initiative primarily addresses our students’ learning losses during the pandemic and strengthens the government’s investment in the welfare of our children,” Balisacan said.