The Palace expresses its sincerest gratitude to former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia for his valuable contribution to the Philippine economy. Sec. Pernia formed part of the President’s Economic Team which steered the country’s strongest economic growth since the mid -1970s.

We expect Acting NEDA Director-General Karl Kendrick Chua who is set to assume office next week to continue the economic momentum set by his predecessor, who is also a former colleague in the UP School of Economics; and work in close coordination with the other members of PRRD’s economic managers, to prepare the Philippines for a new normal and mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.