The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved on Thursday two measures aimed at advancing government efforts toward achieving deep social and economic change leading to a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Philippines.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the Board first approved the Executive Order (EO) operationalizing the Philippines’ tariff commitment under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, and the second measure to be approved was the recommendation for the Social Protection Floor (SPF) endorsed by the Cabinet-level of the Social Development Committee.
“These recommendations aim to institutionalize and improve the government’s current initiatives that cater to the needs of the most vulnerable Filipinos,” Balisacan told reporters.
According to Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, who joined the NEDA secretary, the EO will operationalize the implementation of the Philippines tariff commitments under the RCEP agreement.
The EO’s proposed effectivity will be on June 2, 2023, coinciding with the end of the 60-day period after the deposit of the instrument of ratification.
Once issued, the EO shall be the basis of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for the issuance of Customs administrative order, which shall be distributed to all ports to allow for the implementation of the preferential tariffs on e-ports from RCEP member countries, Pascual explained.
The EO provides the President, upon recommendation of the NEDA Board, authority to modify import duties, including any necessary change in classification and other import restrictions as required and appropriate to carry out and promote foreign trade with other countries.
Explaining the SPF, which refers to a nationally defined set of basic social security guarantees that aim to prevent or alleviate poverty vulnerability and social exclusion, Balisacan said it is comprised of four basic guarantees that cover the entire life cycle: Health (including maternity care), children, active age, and older persons.
The SPF for health advocates for the complete implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC) to ensure that all individuals have access to adequate and accessible healthcare services, the NEDA chief said.
Meanwhile, the SPF for children includes initiatives aimed at providing access to child nutrition, education and care, while the SPF for active age compromises initiatives that support Filipinos who are unable to earn sufficient income, including those who are part of the informal economy.
The SPF for children recommends enhancing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps program, conducting supplemental feeding program, addressing teenage pregnancy, providing children special protection, and extending healthcare and mental health support and other services.
The SPF for older persons, on the other hand, aims to extend social assistance and social pension programs to senior citizens.
Under social assistance, the government will ensure that elderly individuals receive discounts, have access to life-long learning opportunities, and receive integrated health services, according to Balisacan.
The NEDA secretary reiterated that social protection and human capital development are among the government’s goals as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 aimed at harnessing the framework to attain desired social objectives such as protecting the purchasing power of Filipino families and mitigating the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. #
