MANILA, Philippines ? The economy can expand at the high end of a 3.7-4.7 percent forecast range in 2009 if spending plans are implemented on time, the head of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Friday.

Growth last year in the gross domestic product was around 4.6 percent in 2008 despite the impact of the global downturn and this year, despite difficulties, it can reach the high end of the estimate with the help of the government?s P300-billion "economic resiliency plan,? Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto said in an interview with Reuters.

"If we can spend these resources wisely and spend them quickly in the first six months of the year, then you could probably achieve the higher end of our growth target," Recto said.

A Reuters poll last month showed the Philippine economy might grow 3.3 percent this year, its slowest growth in eight years.

The government has proposed to Congress a 2009 budget of P1.41 trillion, but the Senate and the House of Representatives have yet to meet to thresh out differences in their versions of the budget bill. That would be on top of the agenda when Congress resumes sessions on Jan. 19.

Part of the budget would be used to finance an economic stimulus package meant to save and create jobs, rehabilitate and upgrade infrastructure, and ensure a major slowdown in growth is prevented.

On 2008 growth, Recto said: "There is reason for me to believe that we did well in the fourth quarter, and my estimate for full-year [growth] will roughly be 4.6 percent."

Brisk Christmas spending in the fourth quarter and lower commodity prices, which underpinned domestic consumption, would have supported growth in the quarter, he said.

The government is expected to announce full-year 2008 growth figures on Jan. 29. Edited by INQUIRER.net