The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in partnership with the Ateneo de Naga University through the Knowledge for Development Community and Center for Local Governance spearheaded the AmBisyonNatin2040 Public Forum at the Madrigal Amphitheater, Ateneo de Naga University on October 6, 2016.
The AmBisyonNatin 2040 is a project initiated by NEDA to define a common long-term vision or a set of long term goals based on the standard of living that Filipinos want to have by the year 2040. It was launched by NEDA on March 30, 2016. Further, it is intended as a basis of unity among Filipinos and a guide for development planning across four (4) administrations, as well as for international development assistance for the next 24 years.
In relation to this, the Public Forum was intended to: (1) communicate the vision to the stakeholders; (2) consult participants on how they can help further enrich the discourse on the vision; (3) identify various activities or ways to contribute in achieving the goals to make sure that the vision is embraced by everyone; (4) document various comments and inputs on the results of the national survey generated from public consultations.
The guests and participants in the said event were welcomed by Fr. Primitivo E. Viray, Jr., SJ, President of Ateneo de Naga University, after which Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, Director of Center for Local Governance gave an overview of the activity. To give more light to the AmBisyonNatin2040, Ms. Edna Cynthia Berces, OIC-Regional Director of NEDA Region V presented the study and described the kind of life that the people want to live as well as how the country will look like by the year 2040. She explained that it will serve as an anchor for development planning across four (4) administrations. A panel discussion followed after with Fr. Rex Andrew Alarcon, President of Bicol Association of Catholic Schools, Fr. Rex Paul Arjona, Executive Director of Social Action Center – Diocese of Legazpi, Mr. Nicolas Beda Priela, Private Sector Representative of the Regional Development Council and former President of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Hon. Michelle Garchitorena, the Vice Mayor of the Naga City Youth Officials as discussants. Each representative shared their views and opinions regarding the topic as well as what they can do to help acquire this vision.
In the afternoon session, participants were divided into four break-out groups for a workshop; Group 1 was facilitated by Ms. Marlyn L. Tejada at the Madrigal Amphitheater, Group 2 and Group 4 were assigned at O’Brien Library’s Viewing Room 2 and Conference Room with Mr. Rodolfo Virtus, Jr. and Mr. Michael F. Hernandez as facilitators, respectively. Group 3 was facilitated by Mr. Juan Raul Relloso in the Instructional Media Center. During the workshop the participants discussed among themselves the vision including the constraints and strategies to achieve it. A presentation of the workshop outputs came after. The Public Forum was capped with the presentation of the Communication and Advocacy Plan and the Next Steps by Ms. Marie Jeanette Cordero, Development Information Staff of NEDA- Central Office.
A press conference with the Local Media took place at the CLG Training Room simultaneously with the Open Forum after the panel discussion during the Public Forum. The representatives from NEDA, namely, Ms. Berces and Ms Cordero answered questions from the members of the press and explained the objectives of the project and asked their support in promoting the vision since communication plays a vital role in ensuring that policies, projects, programs and initiatives are aligned on realizing such vision.
by Ian Rose D. Clavecilla
