NEDA on Trump US presidency: We are ready to work with any economy

The Philippine government is ready to work with the United States under the leadership of Donald Trump as its president, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said Friday.

At the NEDA’s year-end press conference, Balisacan said the Socioeconomic Planning Department has its eyes on “external risks” which could arise from “political-economy dynamics within and between the country's major trading partners such as the United States.”

“With the upcoming assumption of United States President-Elect Trump, we maintain that the Philippines is ready to work with any economy and to adjust our policies accordingly, as we have continuously built solid and close relationships with the US and other countries,” the country’s chief economist said.

The NEDA chief expressed confidence that the US, an ally of the Philippines, “has our eyes, regardless of the changes in the presidency.”

However, Balisacan said that the Philippine government is hoping that the country will not be affected by Trump’s plan to raise tariffs.

“We hope that we won't go there, but still our priority, even before this development and as reflected in our PDP, is to diversify the economy so that we have all these growth pillars kicking in… not just exports, not just consumption, not just services, but also domestic investments,” he said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News