After more than a year of running the Department of Agriculture President Marcos has handed over the post to his long-time friend, fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., with the first marching orders to boost production and bring down food prices.
Businessman Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. takes his oath as new secretary of the Department of Agriculture after being appointed by President Marcos, who occupied the position concurrently for over a year.
Laurel served as president of Frabelle Fishing Corp., the world’s third largest tuna fishing company, from 1985 to Oct. 31 this year. He was also a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council-Agriculture Sector Group. Laurel was one of Marcos’ top donors in the 2022 presidential elections, according to a Bilyonaryo.com report last month.
“We are expecting his appointment for more than a week now. We had a preliminary meeting with him two weeks ago and we had expressed our full support and cooperation for the benefit of our agriculture stakeholders. We welcome him and we wish him all the luck and the blessings of our Lord,” Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. president Danilo Fausto said.
Former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Asis Perez said the new DA secretary “is very competent and familiar with realities and challenges of production, post-harvest and marketing.” The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority said it is ready to work with the new agri chief in providing world-class fishery post-harvest facilities and quality service.
Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women secretary general Cathy Estavillo said Laurel’s appointment was not a surprise as President Marcos was only settling a political debt. Laurel was reportedly one of Marcos’ top donors in the 2022 elections.Senators are giving Laurel time to prove himself after being appointed by President Marcos to the agriculture portfolio.
“Let’s give him the chance to work. He comes with a fisheries background. But the agricultural industry is more than just fisheries and its underlying issues are firmly rooted. Only the passage of time will reveal whether the President’s decision to appoint him was a wise one,” Sen. Francis Tolentino added.
“Laurel is the right man for the job. He brings with him decades of hands-on experience in the agricultural sector. There is no doubt on his competence and capability in steering the department towards the revitalization of agriculture and attaining food security in the country,” Sen. Bong Revilla said.
The House of Representatives, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, also welcomed yesterday the appointment Laurel to the DA. Panel vice chair and Quezon Rep. David Suarez also pointed out that aside from Laurel’s vast experience, they believe he will bring “innovation and vigor to the department that sits at the forefront of Pres. Marcos’ agenda and vision for a Bagong Pilipinas.”
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