The President, in a Cabinet Meeting held September 2007, directed NEDA to coordinate the updating of the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) as we move into the second half of the 2004-2010 development plan period. We look back at what have been accomplished so far and identify the gaps and challenges that still need to be addressed to reach the goals set in the Plan. The guidelines for the formulation of the Updated MTPDP 2008-2010 was thus prepared. To supplement the MTPDP Updating Guidelines, NEDA issued to the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) the guidelines for the updating of the Regional Development Plans (RDPs).
The RDCs are once again tasked to spearhead the updating of their RDPs. These Updated Plans highlight the regions' contributions in attaining the national development goals, particularly the President's 10-Point agenda, as well as their vital role in the development of the Super Regions.
To attain these goals, strategies have been identified, including investing in infrastructure to accelerate development by improving logistics and lowering transport costs, link business centers and improve the access to regional and global markets. Anti-poverty measures have been initiated to enhance livelihood activities, provide asset reform, and improve access to essential services to ensure that basic needs of the people in the region are met.
In the context of the RDPs, the development directions set out by the President shall harness the regions' competitive advantages and increase their economic and market potentials. It is now the role of the RDCs and local governments to undertake appropriate interventions in support of national government initiatives. Let us therefore work together to attain the vision for more progressive regions and the country as a whole.
