Shahani, Concepcion get government posts

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani took her oath before President Duterte at Malacañang yesterday as a member of the board of directors of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, the de facto Philippine embassy in Taipei.

She was among 40 new appointees who took their oath before Duterte.

Angelito Banayo was also sworn in as member and chairperson of MECO, along with Gilberto Flor Lauengco and Rommel Sytin.  

Also present were National Youth Commission chairman, Cariza Yamson “Aiza” Seguerra, and partner, Mary Liza Diño, chairman of the Film Development Council of the Philippines; Amable Aguiluz V as special envoy of the President to the Gulf Cooperation Council; and Abraham Khalil Blanco Mitra, new chairman of the Games and Amusement Board.

Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was named chairman of the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao.

Presidential consultant for entrepreneurship

Duterte also appointed RFM Corp. president and CEO and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship - Go Negosyo founder Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion III as presidential consultant for entrepreneurship.

Concepcion was appointed pro-bono by the Duterte administration to synergize entrepreneurship efforts and programs in the country.

He was previously given the same position by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.

This led to the birth of the Go Negosyo advocacy, along with the support of fellow entrepreneurs.

Since 2005, Concepcion has been actively leading programs, caravans, summits, and seminars for all entrepreneurs nationwide.

Go Negosyo also inspires and empowers Filipinos to start their entrepreneurial journey through its books, television and radio shows, social media platforms, and Concepcion’s weekly columns.

Concepcion and the Go Negosyo community believe that entrepreneurship will help alleviate poverty, increase employment, and achieve economic growth.

Concepcion said he appreciates President Duterte’s recognition of the Go Negosyo advocacy.

“With this appointment, we will strive more in helping Filipinos. With (Trade) Secretary Ramon Lopez, who was with me for 11 years as my executive director in Go Negosyo, I know that this will increase the synergy between the government and private sector for MSME (micro-small and medium enterprises) development,” Concepcion said.

“Recently, we launched Kapatid, Angat Lahat, an initiative with DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) and other business associations to strengthen the mentorship program for micro and small entrepreneurs, increase their productivity and creativity, and link them to the value chain of medium and large corporations through inclusive business models. Hopefully, we can partner with more organizations and government agencies and together we can contribute to the plan of President Duterte to reduce poverty,” he added.