Cites personal reasons and ‘differences’ with other Cabinet members.
By Marisol Bo-oc | 03:50 PM April 17, 2020
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Ernesto Pernia resigned from his post on Friday, April 17.
In a statement, Pernia said he chose to leave his post due to personal reasons as well as “differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members.”
“After reflection during Holy Week, and consultations with my family and close colleagues, I have decided to resign from my post as Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning,” he said.
Pernia, seasoned economist and professor, was appointed as NEDA chief in July 2016 when President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office.
He has been included in the inter-agency task force crafting policies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
STATEMENT OF SOCIOECONOMIC PLANNING SECRETARY ERNESTO M. PERNIA
April 17, 2020
After reflection during Holy Week, and consultations with my family and close colleagues, I have decided to resign from my post as Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning. This is due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members.
I would like to thank the President for appointing me to the position. It has been an honor and privilege to have served the country under his administration for the past nearly four years.
I must also thank my NEDA family for their trust and confidence in my leadership of the agency in crafting and pursuing the goals of the Philippines Development Plan 2017-2022 towards our country’s Ambisyon Natin 2040, as well as evaluating and reviewing flagship infrastructure projects for approval by the President-chaired NEDA Board and their eventual implementation.
I leave NEDA knowing that we have initiated and implemented meaningful changes that will help the country overcome these challenging times and on to a higher growth trajectory.
