Outgoing Secretary Alfredo Pascual of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday assured there will be smooth transition and continuity of ongoing and unfinished priorities of the agency.
This developed as foreign and business groups have expressed gratitude to Pascual for his support to enterprises.
Pascual said the bureaucracy should focus on the free trade deals, programs for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), consumer protection and to follow up on the billions of dollars of investment leads generated by presidential visits and DTI’s mission.
“We are looking for a seamless transition for the sake of our country, of our industries, workers who need jobs and consumers who need protection,” said Pascual, whose resignation takes effect today.
The Office of the President is yet to designate his replacement or an officer-in-charge.
Priorities
The Philippines has pending negotiations for an FTA with the European Union and with the United Arab Emirates.
It also anticipates the review of the Japan-Philippines economic partnership agreement; the ratification of its FTA with South Korea and the start of negotiations for a free trade with Canada.
The Philippines is also eyeing an FTA with a country from Latin America and another from Africa.
Pascual hopes to see the sustained implementation of shared service facilities as the DTI’s way of introducing modern technology to MSMEs and help them expand their product range.
Pascual also said the DTI needs to pursue the implementation of the Malikhaing Pinoy for the development of creative industries and of the Tatak Pinoy to promote products made in the Philippines.
Pascual is specially proud of having build a healthy pipeline of investments which will materialize over time in sectors like renewable and nuclear energy, infrastructure and manufacturing.
On consumer protection, Pascual said his biggest legacy is the creation of the Task Force Kalasag which has seized P118 million worth of uncertified appliances and unregistered vapes in just three months,
On prices, Pascual said the DTI will continue to strengthen and simplify its suggested retail prices and E-presyo.
Nothing but praises
Meanwhile, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) expressed hope Pascual’s replacement will continue the programs and innovations introduced during his term.
PCCI president Enunina Mangio praised Pascual for his dedication and hard work in promoting MSMEs .
“We, in PCCI, would support whoever will the President appoint as the new DTI chief. After all, we all work for the common good of our enterprises and the consuming public,” Mangio said.
She expressed hopeinitiatives and programs such as promotion of regional industrialization, enhancing ease of doing business, addressing skills mismatch, attracting investments, expanding exports and enhance consumer protection will remain as priority programs of DTI.
In astatement, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) expressed its gratitude to Pascual “for his exemplary leadership and invaluable contributions in accelerating the Philippine economy.”
GPCCI cited some of highlights of Pascual’s tenure including his participation in the 17th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Singapore in November 2022 where he invited German investors to explore opportunities in the Philippines.
The group noted Pascual’s dedication to advancing trade relations by pushing for the resumption of the EU-Philippines FTA in August 2023.
Under Pascual’s leadership, Germany emerged as the top source of foreign investments for the Philippines in 2023, contributing a remarkable P393.28 billion. .
In a separate statement, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) said Pascual has been a strong partner to the group through their work together to promote trade and investments in the Philippines. “We thank him for his service to promote economic growth in the country, and particularly his focus on supporting MSMEs. He will be missed, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter,” AmCham said.
Ready to serve
Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe yesterday downplayed speculations that she will be the next DTI secretary.
In a Viber message to the members of the Senate media, Poe said she is willing to help the government in whatever way possible but would rather focus on her new task as Committee on Finance chair which will lead in the discussions of the proposed national budget for next year.
Poe said she would rather remain as a senator until she finishes her two consecutive six-year terms next year.
