On Thursday, May 22, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial presentation of Republic Act No. 12145, officially establishing the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), during an event at Malacañang. The new law transforms the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) into a full-fledged executive department, enhancing its mandate as the government’s primary economic policy, planning, and coordination body .

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan expressed gratitude to President Marcos and Congress for the enactment of the law, emphasizing that the establishment of DEPDev contributes to sound economic governance by bridging past and future development strategies, ultimately ensuring sustained and inclusive economic progress for all Filipinos. The event was attended by key stakeholders, including executives from DEPDev’s attached agencies: Philip Arnold P. Tuaño (Philippine Institute for Development Studies), Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez (Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines), Lizan Perante-Calina (Development Academy of the Philippines), Marilou P. Mendoza (Tariff Commission), Josefina V. Almeda, PhD (Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute), Lisa Grace S. Bersales, PhD (Commission on Population and Development), Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD (Philippine Statistics Authority), and Donald James D. Gawe (Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency).

Under the enhanced mandate of DEPDev, the PSRTI retains its crucial role as the research and training arm of the Philippine Statistical System (PSS). PSRTI continues to conduct high-quality, objective, and responsive statistical research and training to improve the quality of statistical information generated by the country’s statistical system . This ensures that DEPDev’s policy and planning functions are supported by robust statistical research and capacity-building initiatives.