Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima to Ensure Smooth Transition
The Department of Finance welcomed the naming of Mr. Carlos Dominguez as the next Secretary of Finance, with incumbent Secretary Cesar V. Purisima personally ensuring a smooth transition for President-elect Duterte’s team to hit the ground running on day one.
“After speaking on the phone to congratulate Mr. Dominguez last Thursday, he and I met the next day to begin the transition process. Mr. Dominguez is an esteemed businessman and public servant with a lengthy record of excellence. There are 3 important things for any Finance Secretary: having the ear of the President–having the stomach to stand firm in advising him soundly even in the face of opposing political tides, having an understanding of government and an appreciation for good governance, and lastly, having an understanding of how business works and the economic landscape you’ll be navigating. Mr. Dominguez has all three.
I am confident that when I pass the baton in this relay race of governance, the economic team will be ready to sustain and improve on our gains from the past 6 years with even-keeled leadership from a Secretary Dominguez after the noon of June 30. We extend our best wishes of success and look forward to officially passing the baton on June 30,” Purisima said.
The DOF is preparing a transition document detailing the state of progress across its various clusters and results areas, including revenue, liability management, privatization, GOCCs, and corporate affairs. The transition document will serve to keep the new leadership abreast on where things are with the DOF’s priorities and projects.
The DOF Manual of Institutional Knowledge is another document Purisima is keen to pass on to Mr. Dominguez and his team. To be finished by the end of June, it will contain four volumes of documented learnings in the DOF over the past six years of the Aquino administration – best practices from the DOF Institute, learnings on what could have gone better, and recommendations moving forward. The Manual also codifies 200 processes and approval protocols, with templates of completed staff work and style guides.
Following a rationalization process on the DOF’s issuances including 4,300 department orders since 1958, the DOF will also pass on a simplified body of issuances, for improved institutional coherence and ease of enforcement.
The DOF is also completing upgrades and renovation works on the 5th and 6th floors as well as the roofdeck, to afford the new team an enhanced working environment.
“We take transitioning seriously and view it as an integral part of organizational development. We want to ensure the new team has all the means and resources to succeed on day one. My team is coordinating with his in order to work with depth over the next month on a smooth transition,” Purisima added.
