NEDA Board greenlights education and healthcare advancements

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has ratified three vital measures that are pivotal to the government’s objective of enhancing human capital and improving social and infrastructure services.

According to a press release, the Board’s 15th meeting saw the endorsement of the Department of Education’s Basic Education Development Plan (BEDP) 2030 and the MATATAG Agenda, which pledge equitable access to high-caliber basic education for children, out-of-school youth, and adults.

Moreover, the Board has ratified revisions to the terms and conditions for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Cancer Center Project, which includes an escalation in project costs from PHP 6.05 billion to PHP 9.49 billion.

Furthermore, newly established guidelines by the NEDA Board Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) were approved to expedite and enhance the efficiency of the review and approval process for National PPP Proposals.

“The approval of these initiatives reflects our dedication to fostering Filipinos’ access to lifelong learning and superior health facilities,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan asserted. The BEDP 2030 marks the nation’s inaugural medium-term blueprint for basic education, covering both formal K-to-12 and non-formal education channels. It is a direct response to learning deficits incurred during the pandemic and reinforces the state’s commitment to nurturing the youth.

The MATATAG Agenda, presented by Duterte-Carpio, comprises four pivotal elements: refining the curriculum, expediting the delivery of education services, nurturing learner well-being, and bolstering teacher support.

Aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal for quality education, the BEDP 2030 and the MATATAG Agenda dovetail with AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, aiming to uplift education and lifelong learning opportunities.

The NEDA Board also sanctioned proposed amendments to the UP-PGH Cancer Center PPP Project. The increased budget will accommodate an expanded construction scope and the procurement of state-of-the-art medical technology, enhancing the center’s capability to deliver top-tier cancer care and serve as a leading teaching and research institution.

Addressing the urgent need for advanced cancer treatment in the Philippines, the UP-PGH Cancer Center, a 300-bed facility, will be integral to a precision medical treatment ecosystem that includes the Philippine Genome Center and future Science and Medical Technology Parks.

This comprehensive Cancer Center is expected to be operational by early 2028, with completion slated for the end of 2027.

“In our pursuit of creating livable communities, we are dedicated to equipping Filipinos with essential healthcare and education,” Balisacan remarked, highlighting the government’s continuous commitment to uplifting citizens’ quality of life.

The newly minted guidelines for national PPP proposals are a sequel to the enactment of the PPP Code of the Philippines. These guidelines mandate the ICC approval of high-cost projects within 113 to 120 calendar days, while smaller projects should receive approval within 83 to 90 calendar days, extendable up to 120 days if necessary.

These pivotal ICC guidelines will be publicly accessible via the websites of NEDA, the Department of Finance, and the PPP Center, taking immediate effect.

Balisacan concluded, “With prudent policies and a supportive investment climate, we invite private sector collaboration in nation-building as we forge ahead toward a progressive Bagong Pilipinas.”