ALBAY 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda lauded the recent enactment of the Department of Development Planning Law (Republic Act No. 12145), also known as the DepDEV Law, following its signing by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Salceda, who has been a long-time advocate of the legislation, expressed gratitude for the President’s approval, highlighting that he had championed the measure across three Congresses as principal author, technical working group chair, and sponsor.
“This makes NEDA a full-fledged cabinet-level department and will hopefully strengthen long-term and futures thinking in the Government,” Salceda stated. “When government can think and plan long-term, it can pursue policies and projects with greater returns to the people than what is currently popular or convenient.”
A key feature of the new law is the institutionalization of the Regional Development Council (RDC) system, including a formal mechanism for the election of RDC chairs. Drawing from his own experience as a three-term RDC Chair and area chair for Luzon, Salceda emphasized the RDC’s vital role in integrating local development priorities into national planning.
Another major reform under the DepDEV Law is the official mandate for the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to conduct futures thinking and scenario planning exercises. “Given current world conditions, I am convinced that it was the right thing to do,” Salceda said, noting that an office within the new department will be dedicated solely to anticipating technological, economic, and geopolitical shifts.
The law also formalizes the planning call process to align it more closely with long-term budgeting and development goals. Additionally, it grants NEDA greater operational independence, enabling it to provide unimpeded economic advice to the President and other key policymakers.
With recent complementary legislation such as the Public-Private Partnership Act and CREATE MORE, Salceda believes the new department is well-positioned to lead the country’s strategic development planning.
“NEDA deserves to be elevated to the status of a full-fledged cabinet agency,” he affirmed.
