Department of Economy, Planning, and Development

𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐃𝐞𝐯, 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐆𝐎𝐕’𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐕’𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐃 𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐁𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐒

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan met with Australian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Marc Innes-Brown to discuss opportunities further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the Philippines and Australia, on June 18 at the DEPDev Central Office in Mandaluyong City.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on priority areas of cooperation and explore projects in support of the Philippines' long-term development goals, particularly in advancing infrastructure development, agricultural modernization, digitalization, connectivity, and tourism.

Both officials reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing development initiatives that support inclusive growth, resilience, and human capital development. Balisacan expressed appreciation for Australia's continued support for capacity-building and scholarship programs, noting their contribution to strengthening the country's human resources and institutional capabilities.

They also touched on the country's economic outlook amid evolving global developments. Balisacan highlighted the Philippines' resilience in navigating external challenges, including recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, while expressing optimism for improved economic conditions in the second half of the year.

Joining Ambassador Innes-Brown were Australian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Nicholas Kay and Development Counsellor Peter Adams. Also present were DEPDev Social Development Staff Director Girlie Grace J. Casimiro-Igtiben and Innovation Staff Assistant Director Diego Luis S. Santiago.

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗔 𝗜𝗡𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔! 🌟🤝

To our Luzon qualifiers, speakers, coaches, mentors, partners, and innovation champions: thank you for helping us amplify Filipino-led innovations at the 2026 Presidential Filipinnovation Awards Luzon Sub-National Competition!

Your voices, insights, and unwavering support truly showcased the strength of the region's innovation ecosystem. 💡

Ang tagumpay ng kumpetisyong ito ay nagpakita ng galing ng mga Filipinnovators mula sa Luzon, at nagtulak sa mga makabuluhang ideya patungo sa National Finals. Sama-sama nating patuloy na gawing realidad at solusyon ang mga inobasyong ito! 🚀🇵🇭

𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐃𝐞𝐯 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫!

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) joins the international observance of the 2026 World Day Against Child Labor (WDACL), reaffirming its commitment to support national efforts toward a child-labor-free Philippines.

This year’s national theme of 2026 WDACL, “Ikaw, Ako, Tayo: Sama-samang Pagkilos para sa Batang Malaya,” anchored on the global theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults,” underscores the importance of sustained and collective action in advancing and strengthening efforts to eliminate child labor in the country.

Learn more at the National Council Against Child Labor’s official website: https://batangmalaya.ph/.../national-council-against.../

🎉 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿’𝘀 𝗣𝗙𝗔 𝗟𝘂𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗯-𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 🎉

Out of ten brilliant pitches, four groundbreaking innovations stood out and secured their spot in the National Finals. From off-grid energy to smarter farming, these teams proved they have what it takes to solve today’s biggest challenges.

Now, they are heading to the main event! Congratulations to our top four Filipinnovators moving on to the 2026 Presidential Filipinnovation Awards National Competition:

🏆 𝗣𝗗𝗚 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
Saltric Marissa Turbine: Turning Rivers into 24/7 Power for Off-Grid Filipino Communities

🏆 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆
Compact Easy to Operate and Economical Biodiesel Reactor for Benteng Diesel

🏆 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀
Semi-automatic Feed Milling System: Local Innovation for Smarter Feed Production

🏆 𝗔. 𝗥. 𝗖. 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Nano Fold Crutches

Pinatunayan ng ating mga kalahok ang mahalagang papel ng mga rehiyon sa pagpapalakas ng ating innovation ecosystem. May their stories spark more ideas from the grassroots in the years to come!

Kaya naman siguraduhing nakatutok sa page para sa papalapit na 2026 PFA National Competition! 🚀

𝐓𝐏𝐁-𝐈𝐀𝐂 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐀𝐏 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐉𝐎𝐁 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐎 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: The Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council (TPB-IAC), chaired by Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, represented by Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, convened for its Second Quarter (Q2) meeting on June 17 at the DEPDev Central Office in Mandaluyong City to discuss policies and frameworks to strengthen employment resilience, worker protection, and labor market adaptability amid evolving economic and global challenges.

At the meeting, the TPB-IAC approved the Philippine Roadmap for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions (GA) presented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). This outlines measures for inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic transformation through the creation of decent work, enhancement of social protection, and facilitation of just transition in the transportation and construction sectors.

The Council also tackled updates on the ongoing government interventions to mitigate the impacts of the Middle East Crisis on the labor sector. This includes livelihood and employment assistance to transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and other vulnerable sectors.

Other matters taken up included the Labor Migration Management Plan (LaMPP), which sets the long-term direction for labor migration governance, and Resilient Platform Work PH, a study by the De La Salle University Social Development Research Center and the Manila Observatory that proposes policy recommendations to strengthen skills development and social protection for platform and gig workers amid climate and technological change.

The meeting was attended by DOLE Undersecretary Carmela Torres and Assistant Secretary Joel Gonzales, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Assistant Secretary Mary Grace Riguer-Teodosio, and other officials and representatives from DOLE, DEPDev, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and labor organizations.

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒: During the 2026 Jollibee Group Mid-Year Economic Briefing on June 16, Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon, on behalf of DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, delivered the keynote presentation highlighting the government’s key economic priorities.

These priorities include adopting a whole-of-government approach to mitigate external risks and contain inflationary pressures; accelerated implementation of high-impact infrastructure projects to strengthen connectivity and job creation; and stronger institutions and governance to restore public trust and sustain investor confidence.

Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon conveyed the Secretary’s message that the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals, resilient domestic demand, and growing services sector have placed the economy in a stronger position than in previous decades, even as geopolitical tensions, shifting trade relationships, financial uncertainty, and climate-related risks weigh on the global outlook.

Secretary Balisacan also underscored the importance of investing in human capital to fully harness the country’s demographic advantage, particularly its young population and growing working middle class, which underpin domestic demand and productivity.

Undersecretary Edillon was joined by John Lagman, Macro Strategist of Bloomberg, and Ron Reyes, Lead Economist of the Jollibee Group, during the presentation of Secretary Balisacan’s keynote message.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://depdev.gov.ph/2026-jollibee-group-mid-year-economic-briefing/