Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 18) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order (EO) No. 49 which created the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) under the Office of the President, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Monday.
READ: Executive Order No. 49
It will be headed by a Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs who will hold the rank of a Secretary, the PCO added.
PCO Sec. Cheloy Garafil told CNN Philippines through text exchange that Robinsons Land Corporation Frederick Go had been appointed as SAPIEA.
“Among the functions of the OSAPIEA head include assisting the President by providing him timely, relevant and strategic advice on economic matters and concerns, including among others, inflation, food security, and the increasing prices of key commodities,” the PCO said.
It will also help ensure that investment pledges are realized.
Earlier this year, Go was named Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs.
Garafil said the old advisory post is now called OSAPIEA.
READ: Marcos taps Robinsons Land CEO Frederick Go as investment, economic affairs adviser
Meanwhile, EO 49 said that the SAPIEA would be designated as Chairperson of the Economic Development Group (EDG), while the secretaries of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Finance (DOF) would serve as the group’s Vice Chairpersons.
“The SAPIEA shall work with the EDG, and identify the priority programs, activities and projects (PAP) in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, as well as monitor, review and evaluate the progress of priority initiatives and PAPs of the administration,” the PCO said.
As EDG chairperson, the SAPIEA will direct on behalf of the president the NEDA, the DOF, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Trade and Industry and their respective attached agencies to ensure effective implementation of their PAPs.
Aside from the EDG chairmanship, the head will also sit as a member of the NEDA Board, Investment Coordination Committee, Social Development Committee, Committee on Infrastructure, and Development Budget Coordination Committee.
