For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.org and www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL NEW YORK

P R E S S R E L E A S E

PR-MTD- 112- 2017 21 July 2017

PHL Consulate General in New York Holds Forum

on the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022

18 July 2017, NEW YORK CITY - The Philippine Consulate General in New York

organized a forum on the newly-launched Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-

2022 held at the Philippine Center on 18 July 2017.

Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of the National Economic and Development

Authority (NEDA), Undersecretary Roger P. Tong-An of the Department of Health

(DOH), and Undersecretary Florita Villar of the Department of Social Welfare and

Development (DSWD) served as the resource speakers. They were in New York to

attend meetings in the UN.

Undersecretary Edillon shared the positive outlook and continuous economic growth of

the Philippines which is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. The country's

GDP grew by 6.9% in 2016 and Undersecretary Edillon expects that this growth rate

will be sustained in 2017 and the next coming years.

She said that the PDP 2017-2022 lays down the foundation for inclusive growth, high-

trust and resilient society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy by 2022.

The programs of the government under the PDP fall into three major categories, she

explained: enhancing the social fabrid (malasakit), inequality-reducing transformation

(pagbabago), and increasing growth potential (patuloy na pag-unlad).

Undersecretary Edillon also discussed "Ambisyon Natin 2040", a long-term (25 years)

vision for the Philippines and an anchor for development planning across

administrations.

On the other hand, Undersecretary Tong-an discussed the role of the DOH under the

PDP. He emphasized that under the Philippine Health Agenda 2016-2022, the

advancement of health promotion and quality primary care, as well as the expansion of

Philhealth coverage and benefits, are part of the government's priorities.

For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.org and www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY

DSWD Undersecretary Villar explained the programs of the DSWD to promote

development, and emphasized the importance of supporting the poor and the

underprivileged through programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

She also gave a brief update on the forms of assistance being extended by the DSWD

to those affected by the armed conflict in Marawi City.

The event was attended by members of the Filipino-American community and

personnel of the Philippine Mission to the UN and the Philippine Consulate General.

Consul Arman R. Talbo served as the forum's moderator. END

For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.org and www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY

(L-R) DOH Undersecretary Tong-An, NEDA Undersecretary Edillon, Consul Talbo, and DSWD

Undersecretary Villar during the Forum on the Philippine Development Plan held at the Philippine

Center in New York.

For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.org and www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY

(Seated L-R) DOH Undersecretary Tong-An, NEDA Undersecretary Edillon, Consul Talbo, DSWD

Undersecretary Villar, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Irene Susan B. Natividad with

some participants of the Forum.