NEDA's Secretary Pernia has resigned

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Pernia resigns

MANILA – Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia has resigned.

In a statement released by his office at 3:17 P.M. today, he said he resigned “due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members”.

He said he came to his decision after reflection during Holy Week and consultations with family and close colleagues.

He expressed his thanks to President Rodrigo Duterte for appointing him to NEDA which he considers “an honor and privilege” to have served the country for 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 Philippine 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,” he said.

He concluded his statement that he is leaving 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.”

Secretary Pernia is one of the oldest Cabinet secretary under President Duterte. He has written books prior to his appointment. He is a retired professor at the University of the Philippines’ School of Economics. (Melo M. Acuña)

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia (third from right) attends the economic briefing on COVID-19's impact last March 10,2020 with Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III (centre), Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III. Others in photo are representatives from Bangkok Sentral ng Pilipinas and Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Tourism. (Melo M. Acuna photo)