OUTGOING Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said his successor must prioritize ongoing free trade negotiations, emphasizing their importance to the country’s economic growth.
He specified several key negotiations, including the proposed Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Philippines-United Arab Emirates FTA, a review of the existing agreement with Japan, the ratification of the FTA with Korea, and the upcoming trade negotiations with Canada and Chile.
“The [new Trade] Secretary should focus on these. There’s a lot of negotiations for free trade agreements that are in the pipeline,” Pascual told reporters on Thursday.
Outgoing Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
He announced his decision to step down from his post on Wednesday, citing personal reasons including his desire to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family. His resignation takes effect today.
Reflecting on his two-year tenure, Pascual expressed pride in the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) accomplishments achieved under his leadership, particularly in building a strong pipeline of investments and implementing consumer-protection measures.
He also noted significant progress in the renewable energy sector, and initiatives like the suspension of online sales of vape products to protect the youth.
Pascual also expressed confidence that the next Trade chief would continue to build on the department’s gains.
“Whoever will replace me will be knowledgeable and we’ll leave with him/her the summary of the things we’ve done and the things that will continue to require attention,” he said.
Asked who might be his successor, Pascual replied that he did not want to preempt the President’s decision.
“We are looking forward to a seamless transition for the sake of our country, for the sake of our industries, our workers who need jobs, and for the sake of our consumers who need protection,” he said.
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) thanked Pascual for his service and expressed hope for the new appointee to continue the programs and innovations introduced in DTI.
“We have high respect for Secretary Pascual for his dedication and hard work in promoting MSMEs to the core. We’ve worked with him on various programs and advocacies that support the development of MSMEs,” PCCI president Enunina Mangio said.
She also cited other programs such as promotion of regional industrialization, enhancing ease of doing business, addressing skills mismatch, attracting investments, expanding exports and enhancing consumer protection, which she hopes would remain as priority programs of the DTI.
“We, in PCCI, would support whoever the President will appoint as the new DTI chief. After all, we all work for the common good of our enterprises and the public,” Mangio said.
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