THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) accepted the hosting of the next gathering of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Governing Body in the Philippines next year.

NEDA Undersecretary for Regional Development Adoracion M. Navarro, currently the APO Philippine director, represented the country in the turnover ceremony held at the APO Governing Body’s 60th Session in Vientiane last May week.

“Let me thank Lao PDR for their hospitality and successful hosting of this 60th Session. And let me welcome you in advance to the Philippine hosting of the 61st Session next year. To this esteemed governing body, mabuhay!” Navarro said.

Hosting the session entails organizing a three-day summit that will be attended by representatives from all member countries. The APO now has 20 member countries.

In the recent session, Undersecretary Navarro delivered the country statement and listed several initiatives of the government in improving productivity of the Philippine public sector.

One of which is the One Connected Government initiative that allows citizens to easily locate and access government services and complete select transactions through approaches like the National Government Portal.

Another initiative is the National ID System that facilitates the delivery of public services. The government likewise continues to support Project Repeal of the National Competitiveness Council, which pushes for the review and amendment of burdensome and irrelevant regulations.

The Philippines, along with seven other founding member-economies, signed the APO Convention in Manila on April 14, 1961. The first APO Director in the Philippines was Dr. Jose C. Locsin, who was the Chairman of the National Economic Council (the forerunner of NEDA) in 1961. (PR)