THE COMMISSION on Appointments on Wednesday confirmed Alfredo E. Pascual as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
According to a statement released by the agency, Mr. Pascual’s main priorities include upskilling and upsizing micro, small and medium enterprises; boosting digital transformation; and promoting the ease of doing business to attract further investments.
He also aims to strengthen and develop the country’s export sector; implement an industrialization strategy driven by science, technology, and innovation; and promote consumer welfare and protection.
At the hearing, Mr. Pascual said the DTI is already in coordination with the Philippine Competition Commission when asked how he plans to resolve the spiraling costs of agriculture products, especially onions.
He said the two agencies intend to use the full force of the law to combat abusive business practices and go after hoarders and cartels.
Senator Cynthia A. Villar, who chairs the Senate agriculture committee, told Mr. Pascual to monitor farm gate prices, adding that price control policies should be implemented to stabilize the cost of goods.
“There seems to be a pattern of manipulation,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino, “like they are doing it on purpose because these prices are too much.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan