Efficiency Over Excess: Why EO 108 is a Win for Governance

The abolition of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) is a welcome development in the ongoing effort to streamline the bureaucracy. Executive Order No. 108 is not just an administrative shuffle; it is a declaration of intent. By folding the duties of OSAPIEA into the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), President Marcos Jr. is cutting away the fat to reveal the muscle of the executive branch.

Critics might worry about overloading the Executive Secretary, but this consolidation creates a single point of accountability. Just as a ship cannot have two captains steering in different directions, our economic policy cannot suffer from fragmented leadership. The clarity provided by this order empowers the Department of Finance to lead the Economic Development Committee without looking over its shoulder.

Furthermore, this move aligns with global best practices. Every successful modern economy has streamlined its investment channels to report directly to the highest executive office, so it is only right that the Philippines follows suit. The integration ensures that economic priorities are not lost in translation between special assistants and cabinet secretaries. It brings the decision-making process closer to the President’s desk, ensuring that the government speaks with one voice on matters of trade and industry.