NEDA: 2011-2016 dev’t plan framework ready

by | Jul 2, 2010 | Headlines, National News

MACROECONOMIC stability, governance, infrastructure, food security, as well as education and health should be the focus of the new administration’s development agenda, socioeconomic planners said on Monday.

Officials from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said they will present a framework for the 2011-2016 Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) to incoming President Benigno C. Aquino III and his Cabinet on Wednesday.

“We will present [the framework] to the president on Wednesday. He has three options on what to do with them: accept, reject, or revise it,” Augusto B. Santos, acting NEDA director-general, told reporters yesterday.

Myrna B. Asuncion, NEDA assistant director for national planning said that the five “highlights” of the proposal would provide a focus for the next medium-term plan.

In the effort to improve macroeconomic stability, Mr. Santos said the Aquino administration should keep its options open with respect to new tax measures.

He zeroed in on three: raising the value-added tax rate to 15% from the current 12%, adjusting excise tax rates on tobacco and alcohol, and streamlining fiscal incentives. (PIA-Bohol)

RP exports up by 6.5% in August

by | Oct 20, 2008 | Headlines, National News

Despite a softer demand for electronics, the country’s total exports in Aug. 2008 rose by 6.5 percent to $4.4 billon, up from the 4.4 percent year-on-year growth in July, the National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA) said.

In a report to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, NEDA said this brought total receipts for the first eight months to $34.4 billion from the same period last year.

Top export commodities for the country include: Electronics, accounted for $2.531 billion (57.7 percent); apparel and clothing accessories – $172.52 million; and sales of petroleum products, accounted for $167.70 million.

Also in the list of the country’s top 10 exports in August were woodcrafts and furniture, ignition wiring set and other wiring sets used in vehicles, aircraft and ships; metal components,; other products manufactured from materials imported on consignment basis, coconut oil, and tuna.

Japan, U.S., China, Hongkong, Netherlands, Singapore,Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand continues to the country’s biggest market. (PIA/Bohol)