Since 2014, Ms. Rafaelita M. Aldaba has been appointed as Assistant Secretary of the DTI, specifically designated to the IDTPG. Prior to this, she served as Senior Research Fellow and Vice-President of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS). From 2008-2009, she was Team Leader of the Asian Regional Integration Center-Asian Development Bank.


She was highly instrumental in crafting the analytical framework for the Industry Roadmap Project of DTI-BOI. Using a multistakeholder approach, this landmark project integrates sectoral roadmaps reflecting the manufacturing industry's visions, goals, and targets. Using supply/value chain analysis, she is also guiding the formulation of the Comprehensive National Industrial Strategy which links manufacturing with other major economic sectors such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, construction, and services. She is also leading the implementation of the Manufacturing Resurgence Program and Roadmap Localization which provide support and coordination for industry development and advocacy for regional industry clustry roadmap formulation to transform regional economies from traditional agriculture to modern agribusiness.


Assistant Secretary Aldaba has had extensive research experience on development issues with focus on industrial policy, regional economic integration, international trade, foreign direct investment, competition policy, and small and medium enterprises. Some of her policy research work included the “Philippine Manufacturing Industry Roadmap: Agenda for New Industrial Policy, High Productivity Jobs, and Inclusive Growth”, “Assessment of Free Trade Agreements and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)”, “Mid-Term Review of the Implementation of the AEC Blueprint”, ASEAN SME Policy Index”, and using micro data “Understanding the Impact of Globalization on SME Survival”, “ Globalization and Employment”, “Manufacturing and Innovation”, and “Productivity Impact of Trade Liberalization and Investment”. She also wrote on “Cartels and Collusion”, “State of Competition in Philippine Markets”, “Can Imports Discipline Collusive Firms?” and “Foreign Direct Investment: A Reassessment”. Her more recent work covered global value chain analysis in “Mapping the Philippines in the Offshoring Services Global Value Chain” and “The Philippines in the Electronics Global Value Chain."


She graduated PhD Economics, MA Economics, and BS Business Economics (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines. She was an alumna of the Kiel Institute for World Economics in Germany where she completed her Advanced Studies in International Economic Policy Research. She was a recipient of scholarships and visiting research fellowship from the UP Gerardo Sicat Foundation, Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and the German Academic Exchange Program. She also received a US$20K research grant from the Economy and Environment Program for South East Asia for her work on trade liberalization and pollution.