The Economy and Development Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has approved over P53 billion in programs to improve basic education, expand access to clean water, and strengthen social protection for government workers, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) announced Tuesday.

The largest initiative, the P38.27-billion Program for Learning Upgrading and School Development (PLUS-D) of the Department of Education, will be funded through a proposed World Bank loan. Running from 2026 to 2032, the program aims to boost literacy and numeracy among public school students and upgrade education management systems nationwide.

Also approved was the P14.98-billion Accelerating Water Supply and Sanitation for the Poor and Lagging Areas (AWSPSA) project, also proposed for World Bank financing. The project will improve water and sanitation access in Bohol’s Loboc Cluster, Siargao Island, and Jolo, Sulu, combining infrastructure investment with policy and capacity-building measures.

To expand social protection coverage, the Council endorsed a draft Executive Order allowing voluntary deduction and remittance of SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions for contract of service and job order personnel in government agencies, state universities, and government-owned corporations.

The Council also approved the revised scope of the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II to complete remaining works and provide irrigation services, decided to maintain the 15 percent rice import tariff until the end of 2025 before introducing a flexible rate system in 2026, and amended guidelines for Infrastructure Flagship Projects to better align with national priorities.

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the measures reflect the government’s commitment to targeted investments and coordinated policy action to promote inclusive growth and strengthen economic resilience.