MANILA – The Commission on Appointments (CA) approved on Wednesday the ad interim appointment of Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque as Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
During the deliberation of her appointment, Roque said DTI has been actively promoting international trade and foreign investments to boost economic growth and create jobs.
“In the last three months since assuming the role, we have been active in promoting international trade and foreign investments. This is crucial for the growth of our economy and provides more jobs for our people. The more jobs we have for them, the more they can come home to be with their family,” she said.
The DTI chief believes that the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, which comprises 99.5 percent of businesses and 60 percent of the workforce, is crucial for development and should be well-supported by the government.
“In all my international engagements, I make it a priority to do both: the large-scale investments as well as finding potential market for MSMEs that are qualified to compete with the global arena,” Roque said.
She vowed that under her leadership, the DTI will prioritize digitalization, diversification, and franchising to help MSMEs compete globally.
Roque said consumer protection and fair trade will also be ensured through the department’s aggressive monitoring.
Before her DTI stint, Roque started her career as a small entrepreneur which she said instilled a profound understanding of the challenges faced by the MSME sector.
She also served as DTI Undersecretary for the MSME development before being appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as acting trade chief.
In his manifestation of support, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said Roque fits the position, being a seasoned public servant whose dedication and integrity has been exemplified in her extensive experience in the executive branch.
Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva urged Roque to work hand in hand with the education sector, particularly with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Villanueva said being persistent in looking for investors is important, but also emphasized the need to train workers.
“If there are investors and we don’t have human resources that are competent to be part of the company, nothing significant will happen. I think, secretary, you need to double your efforts on attracting foreign investors and finding new markets for our MSMEs to drive economic growth and create job opportunities for our people, which is the advocacy closest to my heart,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ad interim appointments of 22 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 21 foreign service officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs were also approved by the CA. (PNA)