To the Commission on Appointments (CA) and its plenary presided by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and CA’s Committee on Trade and Industry Chairperson Representative Ferjenel Biron—thank you for confirming my appointment as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
To the organizations that have supported my confirmation—foreign and domestic business groups, and their regional and local chapters; associations in various industries and sectors; cooperatives and unions; nonprofit organizations; and academic institutes and think-tanks—I am grateful for and honored by your endorsements.
To my colleagues at DTI, members of the media, friends, and my family—thank you all for your support.
Your affirmation moves us all forward. We move forward to realize President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision—that of a stronger, more resilient Philippine economy with better life for all.
Together, we march ahead and work toward our country’s robust economic expansion. We have begun and will now reinforce our efforts to build dynamic and strong industries through science, technology, and innovation. This way, our industries will be better positioned to transform, and to compete in domestic and export markets. In turn, they can create more quality jobs for our people.
Our country’s game-changing reforms are ushering an investment-led economy that generates greater income opportunities for more Filipinos. We shall continue to enhance the Philippines’ investment climate. We advance with more attractive incentives for investors, with reinforced ease of doing business. We will leverage our existing industrial strengths and competencies and adopt Industry 4.0 technologies to build dynamic industry ecosystems.
As micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the country’s economy, we shall endeavor to expand support and enable them to be more productive, modern, and successful, especially in the new digital economy.
The foundation of our country’s resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth rests on fulfilling Filipinos’ basic needs. I appreciate the constructive feedback from the CA and members of the Congress as regards the compelling challenges related to the prices of goods, commodities, and other products. I am dedicating my best to lead DTI in responding to such challenges. We shall further embark on developing the country’s agribusinesses, clean energy efforts, and infrastructure for business and trade.
Sa ating mga kababayan, pinagsusumikapan at patuloy na sisikapin po ng DTI na gawin ang nararapat, at makipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno at mga sektor, upang maibsan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin; maprotektahan ang inyong mga karapatan—kayo man ay mamimili, maliit na negosyante, o bahagi ng malaking kumpanya, at matulungan kayong magkaroon ng sapat na pagkakataon upang mapainam ang inyong kabuhayan at pang-araw-araw. Patuloy ang aming pagbibigay ng serbisyong higit pa sa inaasahan.
I am at our country’s service. I also thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his trust and I look forward to all of us working together for shared prosperity for all.
Maraming salamat. *
Date of release: 02 February 2023