National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan commended the Philippine Center for Economic Development (PCED) for its pivotal role in shaping academic and public discourse as well as its significant contributions to the country’s economic development over the past half-century.
Balisacan highlighted the institution’s instrumental role in nurturing generations of economists, researchers, analysts, leaders, and policymakers who have been the driving force behind the country’s developmental milestones in commemorating the Center’s 50th anniversary.
Serving as the chairperson of the PCED Board of Trustees—an institution established in 1974 to provide both financial and moral support to the research, teaching, training, and other programs of the University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE)—Balisacan reflected on the journey of PCED and UPSE.
“At the inception of the PCED, UPSE was a young institution—only nine years old. Through PCED’s unwavering support, the school was able to fortify and strengthen the competitiveness of its academic and research programs and expand its reach through initiatives like the establishment of the Program in Development Economics (PDE),” Balisacan said.
He underscored the center’s unwavering commitment to fostering essential policy and extension work that underpins a broad, whole-of-nation approach to inclusive growth and development.
“Indeed, PCED shall remain UPSE’s ever-present shadow and stay in sync with its priorities and objectives. It will faithfully support the school’s initiatives and projects as it carries out its mission of training the next generation of well-rounded economists who will produce excellent, diverse, ethical, and impactful research,” he said.
