President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has designated the second week of April as Economy, Planning, and Development Week, with April 10 specifically recognized as DEPDev Day each year.
Proclaimed through Proclamation No. 1205, signed March 30, the declaration replaces an older observance dating back to 1990. Proclamation No. 666 had previously designated December 17 to 23 as Socio-Economic Planning and Development Week, with December 23 as NEDA Day — both of which are now repealed.
The shift in timing coincides with the institutional transformation of the National Economic and Development Authority into the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development under Republic Act No. 12145, or the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, which expanded the agency’s mandate as the executive branch’s lead body on economic policy, planning, and monitoring.
Marcos cited the need to “further promote public awareness and appreciation of the importance of socioeconomic planning and development in advancing inclusive and sustainable national development” as basis for the proclamation.
DEPDev has been tasked to lead the annual observance and to identify the specific programs, projects, and activities that will make up each year’s celebration. National government agencies, government-owned or controlled corporations, and state universities and colleges are required to participate and support the department’s implementation efforts.
Local government units, non-government organizations, and private sector groups are also encouraged to take part in the week-long event.
