MANILA, Philippines – Inaprubahan na ng Commission on Appointments (CA) nitong Miyerkules, Pebrero 1 ang ad interim appointment ni
Alfredo Pascual bilang kalihim ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Ito ay makaraang iendorso ng CA Committee on Trade and Industry sa plenaryo ang appointment ni Pascual.
Sinabi naman ng nag-sponsor sa appointment ni Pascual na si CA Committee on Trade and Industry chairperson at Iloilo 4th District Representative Ferjenel Biron, nagpakita si Pascual ng integridad at kakayanan para sa ahensya.
“After thorough investigation and inquiry, Mr. Pascual has demonstrated that his integrity is in check. He is amiable, cultured, dependable, and highly-principled,” ani Biron.
Sinabi pa ng mambabatas na makikita rin sa academic background, work experience at mga tagumpay ang galing ni Pascual.
Bago maitala bilang DTI chief, si Pascual ay namuno na rin sa pribadong sektor at nakapagturo sa iba’t ibang mga academic institution.
Kabilang dito ay ang Asian Development Bank, Ateneo de Manila University at University of the Philippines.
“I am confident as to his holistic fitness to take on this challenging and noble task of leading the Department of Trade and Industry to a vigorous and progressive future in line with this administration’s socio-economic goals,” sinabi pa ni Biron.
Bago aprubahan ang pagkakatalaga kay Pascual, nagpaalala si Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri sa DTI secretary na may malaki siyang gampanin upang mapababa ang inflation sa bansa.
“Mr. Secretary, your department is key to the growth of our nation. I think, it is key to nation building, to the six to eight percent GDP growth rate that the president would want us to achieve in the next five years to be able to be a middle income country. Your department is key and very important,” ani Zubiri.
“Most important of all, for me, I think and I believe, ikaw po ‘yung ating magiging pambansang taga-bantay ng mga presyo at bilhin sa merkado yan ay napakahalaga. Marami po ngayon ang sumasamantala sa ating mga kababayan– sa predatory pricing at smuggled goods. Talagang makakatulong po kayo… in your position, you can help bring down these prices and you can help bring down inflation in totality dahil [ang] food prices are 36 percent of our total inflation cost,” dagdag pa niya. RNT/JGC
