Neda acting chief Chua to assume post next week — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — National Economic Development Authority (Neda) acting Director-General Karl Kendrick Chua is set to assume his post next week following the resignation of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia from the post, Malacañang said Saturday.

“The Palace expresses its sincerest gratitude to former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia for his valuable contribution to the Philippine economy,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

“Sec. Pernia formed part of the President’s Economic Team which steered the country’s strongest economic growth since the mid-1970s,” he added.

Pernia resigned from his post on Friday, citing “personal differences” with some Cabinet members.

Chua, who is an undersecretary for the Department of Finance, was appointed as Pernia’s replacement.

“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,” Roque later stated.

Roque further stated that Malacañang was also expecting him to “ work in close coordination with the other members of [President Rodrigo Duterte’s] economic managers, to prepare the Philippines for a new normal and mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

/MUF