The Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and its accompanying documents, the Medium-Term Regional Development Plans (MTRDPs), are the road maps of our 10-point Legacy Agenda for national development. Under these plans, our task for this
period is to fight poverty by building prosperity for the greatest number of Filipinos.
Halfway through the MTPDP's and the MTRDPs' implementation, we registered a strong economic performance, particularly in 2007, where we exceeded our forecasts as well as expectations of the international community and the private sector. Thus, with a vibrant economy, we can now prioritize a payback for our countrymen who carried the burden of new taxes and strict austerity measures. We will use infrastructure, basic education, health, housing, and science and technology to sustain our growth momentum that will make a difference in the lives of our people.
Recent developments and trends require the revision of targets and the updating of the plans by building on accomplishments, addressing emerging gaps, and confronting new challenges. In summary, the updated MTPDP and the MTRDPs for 2008-2010 shall continue to focus on the 10-Point Legacy Agenda, and the targets will be guided by the “8-in-'08” priorities, the Super Regions development strategies, and our country's commitment to attain the UN Millennium Development Goals.
The Regional Development Councils, with our local governments, will continue to lead in completing the task for the next three years to realize our medium-term goals. I cannot overemphasize the importance of synergy of efforts at the national, regional and local levels so that the benefits of growth are spread across a greater number.
I ask for the support of every sector of society as we move for the attainment of vision.
“Hangarin ko na mapabilang ang Pilipinas sa mayayamang bansa sa loob ng dalawampung taon.” By 2010, it is my wish that the fundamentals of this vision will be in place and the reforms already bearing fruit, poverty should have been marginalized and the poor raised to a robust middle class. This shall be our legacy.
Mabuhay!
