Karl Chua formally appointed as NEDA chief

Malacañang on Thursday announced the appointment of Karl Kendrick Chua as chief of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

"The Palace confirms President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s appointment of Mr. Karl Kendrick Chua as the Secretary of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)," Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

Chua assumed post as the acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary in April 2020. He replaced former NEDA Secretary Ernesto Pernia  who resigned due to reported differences with other Cabinet members. 

Roque also lauded Chua's "professionalism, competence and integrity" as Undersecretary of the Department of Finance and Acting Secretary of the NEDA.

Roque said the government trusts Chua will handle "the crucial task of jumpstarting our economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic."—Consuelo Marqez/LDF, GMA News