Malacañang has reorganized the Economy and Development (ED) Council and its committees, granting the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) a stronger role in economic decision-making.
The changes, outlined in Administrative Order (AO) No. 37 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Aug. 13, took effect retroactively from April 27, 2025.
The reorganization follows the passage of Republic Act 12145, or the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, which renamed NEDA as the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and reconstituted the NEDA Board as the ED Council.
Under the new setup, the SAPIEA now sits as a member of the ED Council and represents the Office of the President in key bodies, including the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), Infrastructure Committee, and Social Development Committee (SDC).
The SAPIEA has also been designated chair of the Economic Development Committee, with the DEPDev Secretary and the Finance Secretary as vice chairs.
Other adjustments include the Finance Secretary serving as co-chair of the DBCC alongside the Budget Secretary. The SDC’s membership has been expanded to include the Secretaries of Agrarian Reform, the TESDA Director General, and the NAPC Lead Convenor. The Tariff and Related Matters Committee will now also include the DAR and DENR Secretaries.
Malacañang said the reorganization will ensure “continuity in the integration, coordination, and implementation of various socioeconomic policies and programs of the government,” consistent with the President’s mandate to faithfully execute the law.