Ramon Lopez is new PH trade secretary

Ramon Lopez, executive director of entrepreneurship advocacy group GoNegosyo, has been appointed by Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Lopez, who also serves as vice president, executive director, and head of corporate planning of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, will be joining the Duterte Cabinet as trade chief, incoming deputy presidential spokesperson Ernie Abella announced on June 13.

Lopez is also the executive assistant to the president and chief executive officer of diversified food and beverage company RFM Corporation. He joined the company’s corporate planning department in 1994. Interestingly, RFM Chairman of the Board Jose Concepcion, Jr was trade secretary himself when Corazon Aquino was president.

Lopez also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers.

Lopez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Economics from the U.P School of Economics and a Master’s Degree in Economics from Williams College, Massachusetts.

Duterte has also appointed assistant health secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial as secretary of the Department of Health, and Wanda Corazon Teo, owner of Mt. Apo Travel and Tours and president of the National Association and Independent Travel Agencies Philippines, Inc., as tourism secretary.