To further help the country become an investment haven, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Robinsons Land Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick Go to lead his economic team as Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs with a rank of a Cabinet Secretary.
On December 18, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unveiled his new appointee to help his administration entice more investments in the country. The appointment came in the heels of the creation of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA).
The creation of OSAPIEA was made effective through Executive Order 49, which aims to create “effective integration, coordination, and implementation” of programs that would help in promoting investment and economic policies.
Prior to this appointment, Go was the Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs since January 2023.
A recognized business leader, Go has extensive experience in managing several business units within the Gokongwei Group serving as President of Robinsons Land Corporation, chairman of RL Commercial REIT, Inc., Altus Property Ventures, Inc., and Vice Chairman of Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation. He is also a Trustee and the President of Robinsons Land Foundation, Inc. and Universal Cultural Foundation, Inc.
He was named the 2023 Person of the Year by the Rotary International District 3810, the 2021 Property Man of the Year by the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence, and the 2020 Real Estate CEO of the Year for Southeast Asia by the Global Banking and Finance Review.
In releasing the appointment, Malcanang said Go will assist President Bongbong Marcos by providing him timely, relevant, and strategic advice on economic matters and concerns, including among others, inflation, food security, and the increasing prices of key commodities,” Malacañang said.
The new secretary is also tasked with ensuring that investment pledges are realized, and make the Philippines “a top investment destination.”
Based on the announcement, the SAPIEA shall serve as Chairperson of the Economic Development Group (EDG), while the Secretaries of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Finance (DOF) shall serve as Vice-Chairpersons.