President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the adoption of an integrated and harmonized process in the formulation of master plans for the infrastructure sector.
This is meant to guide agencies in the planning, programing, budgeting and implementation of infrastructure projects while ensuring a holistic approach to socio-economic development.
Through Executive Order (EO) No. 72 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on October 28, Marcos recognized the crucial role of public investments in infrastructure and human capital in creating employment opportunities and in promoting economic growth.
Marcos said one of the strategies under his Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 is the implementation of integrated master-planning development and convergence programs towards sustainable, resilient and modernized infrastructure facilities and services.
To realize these goals, he ordered all government agencies and offices involved in planning, developing and managing infrastructure projects to incorporate applicable physical, spatial and other cross-cutting elements and principles, such as convergence, interconnectivity, digital technologies and solutions, environmental quality and ecological integrity sustainability, climate change resiliency, disaster risk reduction and management, gender equality, disability and social inclusion.
He said the master plans should also include due consideration to aesthetics in identified tourist destinations; ensure complementarity with land use and urban planning initiatives especially with inter-sectoral coverage and concerns; ensure alignment with other plans, programs and projects at the national and regional level; and ensure consistency with the Public Investment Program and three-year Rolling Infrastructure Program of the government.
Relevant stakeholders, such as the academe, civil society organizations and the business sectors, should be consulted in the formulation of master plans and their review to ensure that it is synchronized with the PDP.
EO 72 directs submission on all master plans to the Committee on Infrastructure (Infracom) under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board for evaluation, approval as well as ensure the incorporation of clear funding strategies for the updating, implementation and monitoring of the master plans.
Covered are projects and programs such as those in the transportation, water resources, energy, information and communications technology, and social infrastructure sectors, among others.
The Infracom-approved master plans shall be endorsed to the NEDA Board for confirmation.
EO 72 also directs Infracom to conduct an inventory of all existing master plans for the infrastructure sector that are due for updating and all proposed master plans as well as to identify and approve a list of priority master plans for budget consideration.
An Infracom Secretariat is also formed to coordinate the submission of the master plans; monitor the status, implementation and periodic updating of master plans; review draft master plans for presentation to Infracom and the NEDA Board; and serve as a repository of all master plans.
The Infracom shall also, within 60 days from the effectivity of EO 72, formulate and issue the guidelines for the implementation of the executive issuance.
EO 72 takes effect after publication in the Official Gazette or any news daily. The Official Gazette uploaded a copy of the EO in its website and social media account on November 2.
Meanwhile, the Official Gazette also published on Sunday a copy of Republic Act 12061 that establishes a marine hatchery in Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur.
The law directs the Department of Agriculture-Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to conduct a full-scale feasibility study in support of the construction of the marine hatchery and continuing research and experimentation on the breeding and production of marine species to discover new methods and technologies that will enhance the fishing industry.
It also directs the agency to turn over the management of the hatchery to the local government of Tabina within two years from the establishment of the facility, and to provide the training and phasing in program for the local government personnel on the management and operation of the hatchery.
Initial funding for the establishment of the hatchery shall be charged in the general appropriation act but subsequent funding shall be charged to the local government unit.
