Philippine Competition Commission chairperson Arsenio Balisacan (Photo courtesy of PCC)
MANILA – Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) chairperson Arsenio Balisacan confirmed on Monday that he has accepted the position as socioeconomic planning chief of the incoming administration.
“Upon the invitation of presumptive President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I have decided to help meet the challenges of the economy as Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in this important period of our economic history,” Balisacan said in a statement.
Balisacan said he looks forward to working with the new economic team and the private sector to return to the pre-pandemic economic growth, accelerate poverty reduction, and reduce socioeconomic inequality.
He held the position of Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning during the Aquino administration, in which the Philippines posted above 6-percent gross domestic product (GDP) average growth from 2010 to 2016.
It was in his term as the country’s chief economist that the government crafted the Ambisyon Natin 2040, a long-term vision for the Philippines, which has also been adopted by the Duterte administration.
“In returning to a post I have previously held, we rely on experience and judicious reckoning of socioeconomic issues to build stronger foundations for a more robust, more inclusive, and more resilient Philippine economy,” Balisacan said.
Balisacan is the first chairperson of the Philippine Competition Commission.
“After over six years leading the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), I will join the new Cabinet, mindful of the immense work needed to accelerate economic recovery and post-recovery development,” he said. (PNA)
