MANILA – Filipinos could expect a “robust” economic performance in 2019 due to key economic reforms enacted this year, Socioeconomic Planning secretary Ernesto Pernia said Thursday.
The year 2019 “will not be bereft of challenges” but the resiliency of the Philippine economy in 2018 will likely continue, supported by the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program, Pernia told reporters during a media appreciation dinner held late Thursday.
The newly signed Joint Memorandum Circular between the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Budget and Management, linking planning and budgeting, could provide a strong foundation of growth in 2019, he said.
Hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games will also boost tourism next year, Pernia said.
“We assure you that we will continue to press reforms in the next years as we have laid out in the PDP (Philippine Development Plan),” he said.
In his closing statement, Pernia urged the Congress to pass the proposed 2019 budget “at the soonest possible time” to meet the country’s development target.
The Senate has deferred budget deliberations as Congress on Thursday held its last session before the Christmas break. (ABS-CBN News/PN)
