The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), previously headed by now-Finance Secretary Frederick Go, will be dissolved, Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Go has been informed of the decision, which comes two weeks after his appointment to the Department of Finance.
She noted that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is the lead agency responsible for the technical and substantive work on the country’s trade agreements.
“So, wala naman pong maaapektuhan. And considering galing po si Secretary Go sa OSAPIEA at siya rin naman po ang magiging secretary ng Department of Finance, so, magkakatulungan po iyon,” Castro said.
She added that the dissolution order has yet to take effect pending the release of an executive issuance.
“Since si Secretary Go ay mapupunta na rin sa Department of Finance… might as well ma-dissolve ito para kaunti na lang po ang magiging ahensiya tutal pareho naman po naging leader ng dalawang ahensiya,” she noted.
Castro emphasized that consolidating responsibilities makes practical sense given Go’s expertise: “So, instead na magdalawa pang ahensiya… might as well ma-dissolve siya at pagtulungan na lang po ng ibang ahensiya especially DTI…”