DEPDev to curb wasted funds, speed up projects — Marcos

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the newly created Department of Economy, Planning, and Development will go beyond crafting national development plans and take charge of ensuring the completion of key infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, schools, and health centers.

Speaking at the ceremonial signing of Republic Act No. 12145 at Malacañan Palace on Thursday, Marcos underscored DEPDev’s role in implementing long-term projects vital to national development and public welfare.

"Hindi lang po puro plano, dapat nakikita at nasusubaybayan natin ang progreso ng ating mga proyekto," Marcos said.

(It’s not just about making plans — we must be able to see and monitor the progress of our projects.)

"Titiyakin natin na ang DEPDev na pagka may ipinangakong tulay, paaralan, health center, mga kalsada ay matatapos sa tinakdang panahon at magagamit ng sambayanan," he said.

(We will ensure that with DEPDev, when a bridge, school, health center, or road is promised, it will be completed on time and made available for public use.)

RA 12145, or the Economy, Planning and Development Act, transforms the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into the full-fledged Department of Economy, Planning, and Development. The law was signed on 10 April.

Marcos said DEPDev will be empowered to identify national priority projects and assess which ones should be expanded, modified, or discontinued to maximize their impact.

"Kaya naman, maiiwasan na natin ang nasasayang na pondo, panahon, at pagkakataon sa paglilingkod," he added.

(Therefore, we can prevent wasting funds, time, and opportunities in serving the public)

As the government's primary planning agency, DEPDev is tasked with formulating the country's 25-year long-term development framework to guide sustainable growth.

The law takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.