The Philippine government, led by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and its development partners have unequivocally reaffirmed their shared commitment to accelerating the delivery of measurable, people-centered outcomes as the nation moves into the second half of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.
The commitment was the core output of the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) 2025, which convened government agencies, international development partners, and key representatives from the diplomatic and business communities on Monday, October 6. The PDF, which serves as the government’s principal platform for policy dialogue and coordination, operated under the theme: “Bringing Together Progress for All: Services that Matter, Results that Last.”
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized the necessity of converting strong economic figures into lived realities for citizens.
“This Forum is a resounding affirmation of our collective resolve to deliver services that matter and results that last,” said Secretary Balisacan. “We are committed to ensuring that our policies, programs, and investments remain responsive to the needs of Filipinos and are anchored on our long-term vision of a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay (secure, comfortable, and peaceful life) for all.”
Secretary Balisacan highlighted that while the country’s economic fundamentals remain strong—with a 5.4 percent growth recorded in the first half of 2025—this progress must visibly translate into better public services, greater opportunities, and sustainable improvements in local communities, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive for real progress.
Policy and Financing Priorities
The Forum showcased the comprehensive outputs of four Sectoral Working Groups (SWGs), which outlined priority areas for policy and financing to support the PDP. Key recommendations focused on four critical pillars:
- Human Capital: Enhancing health, education, and social protection systems.
- Job Creation: Modernizing agriculture and industries to boost competitiveness and generate quality employment.
- Resilience: Building resilient and future-ready infrastructure to improve connectivity and sustainability.
- Governance: Advancing key governance reforms to improve efficiency and accountability.
The government also highlighted significant legislative reforms aimed at improving implementation efficiency, including the passage of landmark acts such as the Public-Private Partnership Code, the E-Governance Act, and the Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way Act. Furthermore, efforts to streamline processes, such as the revision of Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) guidelines and the simplification of grant processing, were noted.
“Development is a shared responsibility,” Balisacan added. “With the continued support of our development partners, the private sector, civil society, and the media, we are confident that we can deliver on our promise of inclusive and sustainable development for all Filipinos.”
