THE Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua has been named acting chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) after Secretary Ernesto Pernia resigned from his post.

Pernia, in a statement, said his resignation was “due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members.”

The 76-year-old former socioeconomic planning chief served the agency for nearly four years and was vital in the crafting of the Philippines Development Plan 2017-2022 towards the country’s Ambisyon Natin 2040.

He also contributed to the evaluation and review of flagship infrastructure projects for approval by the President-chaired Neda Board and their eventual implementation.

“I leave 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,” Pernia said.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Friday, April 17, 2020, said President Rodrigo accepted Pernia’s resignation and named Chua as acting Neda chief.

Chua has served DOF as undersecretary since September 2016. He holds a PHD in Economics from the University of the Philippines School of Economics. (JOB)