NEDA acting Director-General Karl Kendrick Chua. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's first order of business for new National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) acting Director-General Karl Kendrick Chua is to speed up the implementation of the national ID system in the country.

Chua took over leadership of NEDA last week after Ernesto Pernia left the Duterte Cabinet in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.

"Ano ang mandato ng Presidente kay Secretary Chua? Unang-una, ipatupad sa lalong mabilis na panahon ang national ID system,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a Palace virtual press briefing.

(What is the mandate of the President to Secretary Chua? First is to implement at the soonest possible time the national ID system.)

The national ID system was signed into law by Duterte 2 years ago.

Roque added that Duterte also directed Chua to prepare the country's recovery plan from the coronavirus crisis, and to think of better ways to implement the administration's 'Build, Build, Build' infrastructure program.

“Pangalawa, atupagin itong [COVD-19] recovery plan at pangatlo, yung mas mabilis at mas mabuting pag-implementa ng mga 'Build, Build, Build projects' sa pamamagitan ng Investment Coordination Committee,” he said.

(Second is to prepare the recovery plan, and third is to fast-track the implementation of 'Build, Build, Build' projects through the Investment Coordination Committee.)

Chua was Finance undersecretary before being tapped to head NEDA. He was senior country economist of the World Bank for the Philippines before joining government.

Pernia cited "general" differences with other Cabinet members in his decision to quit.