DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 04 November) – Davao City will host the Philippine Development Forum (PDF), a multisectoral dialogue that seeks to get the insights of business groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) on the future directions of President Rodrigo Duterte next week, focusing on the theme, “Poverty Reduction through the Vigorous Implementation of the Ten (10)-Point Socioeconomic Agenda.”
The Nov. 8 and 9 forum at the SMX Convention Center here will provide the new administration the opportunity to share its strategy in translating the 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda into concrete programs, activities and projects in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).
Organizers have lined up five breakout groups that will discuss the Duterte’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, most especially focusing on macroeconomic and fiscal Policies, Mindanao development, rural development, human capital development, and infrastructure and competitiveness.
The recommendations from the forum will be used to combat poverty by cutting from the current 26 percent to 17 percent by 2022, the end of Duterte’s term.
The PDF, headed by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III, will be participated by the national government and local government units (LGUs), business sector, the development partner community, the academe and civil society organization.
“This is an opportunity for us to share our development strategy in significantly reducing the poverty rate and making growth inclusive for all Filipinos under the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda, and at the same time, generate commitments from our development partners, the LGUs, civil society and other sectors in supporting this agenda,” Dominguez briefed reporters at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday.
The event will be graced by cabinet secretaries, with Dominguez and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (PAPP) Jesus Dureza opening the event.
The Philippines’ development partners, such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and other global financial institutions, along with civil society groups and representatives of foreign governments, are also invited to participate in the two-day forum, he said.
A NEDA representative will present how the Duterte administration’s 10-point Socioeconomic Agenda will be translated into a plan of priority actions through the PDP 2017 to 2022, considering the results of the Sulong Pilipinas dialogues with the business community, civil society organizations, local government units, and champions of climate change. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)