Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi has prodded his subordinates to work harder, saying it would ultimately have a positive effect on the country’s business situation.
Cusi said improving work performance at the DoE would go a long way in helping “repackage the Philippines into a competitive investment destination."
“When we do our work well, when we cut down previously lengthy processing times, we are doing our share in making investors see the country in a better light. We need to help the Philippines build back better, and we could start here at the DoE," he said during the agency’s flag raising ceremony Monday.
President Duterte admitted, in a recorded message to the public Monday evening, that the Philippine economy was "in bad shape," mostly because of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic.
Duterte, chairman of ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said that the country was losing P2 billion a day even as the economy remained just partially open.
Cusi is PDP-Laban vice chairman.
“Huwag po nating kalimutan na bilang mga kawani ng pamahalaan, sa atin po umaasa ang mga mamamayan. May responsibilidad po tayong gampanan ang ating tungkulin ng buong katapatan lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya (Let us not forget that as public servants, the people rely on us. We have a responsibility to fulfill our duty with integrity especially in this time of pandemic)," he said.
"Let us continue to be efficient in our work. Like I said last month – be better, do better,” the Energy chief stressed.