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Philippines: Cabinet Cluster system

      The Cabinet Cluster system was created to enhance inter-agency coordination in government decision-making processes and to expedite the implementation of vital inter-agency programmes and projects. The different clusters serve as the advisory committees of the President and the Cabinet and serve as venues for deliberations and formulation of recommendations on policy and operational matters.

      There are 8 clusters: agro-industrial; macroeconomy and finance; human resource and development cluster; physical infrastructure support; security and political development; development administration; water resources management; international relations.

      Any Cabinet Secretary may attend any Cluster meeting or deliberations. This is to ensure that policy and operational matters are consistent with the overall thrusts of the government.

      The recent years have seen considerable expansion in the membership of the various clusters making them more multi-agency and multidisciplinary, paving the way for more integrated decision-making.

      The membership of the National Economic and Development Authority as the agency having the purview over the whole development plan in virtually all clusters should facilitate the integration of all relevant concerns, including environment and sustainable development in high level decision making. NEDA's chairmanship of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development is expedient in this regard.

      Additional clusters have also been established in response to emerging needs and priorities.