Notwithstanding the “issue” on the designation of Officer-in-Charge (OIC), the operation of PEZA remains unhampered. As pointed out by DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual, it was the Office of the President via MC No. 1 that mandated the assumption of the most senior career officer into the functions of the agency OIC. Until the President appoints the new Director General of PEZA, I am duty-bound under the law to continue acting as OIC until 31 December 2022 by virtue of MC. No. 3.
As OIC of an income-generating, self-sustaining agency that is crucial in attracting investments, my duty is to ensure continuity in the PEZA operations for the benefit of the locators and their employees by making sound policy decisions and by implementing plans and programs already in the pipeline. As applications with PEZA continue to pile up on top of the pending ecozone developer and locator applications, we are now preparing for the next PEZA Board meeting.
Together with our DTI Secretary and PEZA Board Chairman Alfredo E. Pascual, valued ecozone investors and partner agencies, we are focused on enhancing our economic competitiveness to make the Philippines a viable investment destination in the region.
With the SONA pronouncement of PBBM to fully support ecozones, PEZA and its employees—who are imbued with professionalism and high ethical standards—are excited. Guided by our brand of excellence, one-stop and non-stop shop policies, we are ready to take on the challenge of attracting investments as we prepare for the upturn in the economy to be able to generate more jobs, exports, and other economic opportunities for the country.
Having fully supported the former two Director Generals as a career officer in PEZA for the past 24 years, I have seen the agency rise from a fledgling government instrumentality into formidable tool of government in improving the standard of living of Filipinos - by turning the original 16 economic zones into 417 operating ecozones at no cost to the government, and the original 331 companies into 4,632 locator companies to date. With this, there is no doubt on our capability to manage and steer the agency forward.
As I have indicated time and again, my being at the helm is only for the time being. In no time, I shall relinquish the functions and authority bestowed upon me by the Office of the President through MC 1 and MC 3 once an appointment is made to the PEZA Director Generalship.