Malacañang hails late NEDA chief Paderanga's contributions to PHL economy

Cayetano Paderanga Jr.

Malacañang on Saturday hailed the contributions of former socio-economic planning secretary Cayetano Paderanga Jr. in reinvigorating the country's economy as his passing on Friday was announced Saturday.

Paderanga was 67. He was appointed director-general of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) when the Aquino administration took power in 2010, but he resigned in May 2012 citing health reasons.

Paderanga also served as NEDA chief during the time of the late President Corazon C. Aquino from 1990 to 1992.

It was under Paderanga's time as the country's chief economist when the Public-Private Partnership Center was established.

The former director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Cayetano “Dondo” Paderanga, Jr. has passed away on January 29, 2016. He was 67.

Among the many positions he held include being the president and chief executive officer of the Philippine National Oil Company, president of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc., director of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, and director at the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. He also served as undersecretary at the Department of Agriculture and chief Philippine negotiator for the World Trade Organization.

Paderanga was President Benigno Aquino’s NEDA chief since the Chief Executive assumed office in 2010; the same position he held in the Cabinet of his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino, from 1990 to 1992.

Paderanga resigned from government office in May 2012, citing health problems.

"We mourn the passing of Cayetano Paderanga Jr., economist and public servant. During his time as NEDA Chief under President Benigno S. Aquino III, he helped reinvigorate the institution which he had also headed during the term of President Corazon C. Aquino. Under his watch the PPP Center was established, which has played a significant role in the revitalization of the economy. His institutional memory and personal integrity made him an effective undersecretary of Agriculture and chief negotiator of the country for the WTO: and earned him the respect of his peers in academe," Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

"His good cheer, humble disposition, and intellectual rigor earned him the respect of so many, whether at home or abroad. We condole with his family, and join all who pause to reflect on his service to the nation during a life well lived."

Tita Valderama, professor at The Manila Times College who covered Malacañang during the 1st Aquino administration, remember the late NEDA chief for simplifying economic issues when facing the media.

"Cayetano "Dondon" Paderanga Jr was one of the Cory Aquino Cabinet members we liked talking to because of his simple explanations about complicated economic issues/data, and I remember him most for, well, his cute smile, as he patiently answered our questions," she said on Facebook.

Port Calls, a trade publication of the maritime and ports sector, credit Paderanga for helping solve the port congestion problem.

"Dr Paderanga ... was instrumental in the crafting of the Philippine Logistics and Multimodal Transportation roadmap. He also helped put the port congestion issue front and center by calling the attention of Secretary Rene Almendas in June 2014. A week after the call, the Cabinet Cluster on Port Decongestion headed by Almendras was created," it said on Facebook.

Former Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello meanwhile, remember Paderanga as a "dedicated professor and conscientious public servant".

"We were on opposite sides of the neoliberal divide, but he was a dedicated professor, conscientious public servant, and solid analyst. May he rest in peace," Bello said. — APG, GMA News