Senators on Friday, November 3 lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for finally appointing a full-time Department of Agriculture (DA) chief and choosing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. for the job.
“I commend PBBM for finally choosing a full-time Secretary in Agriculture. His choice has extensive exposure and knowledge in fishing and agriculture,” Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said.
“I know him to be a sincere, no-nonsense, honest and hardworking patriot. I congratulate Sec. Tiu-Laurel on his appointment, wish him well and look forward to working with him,” he added.
Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. also vouched for Laurel saying he “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,” Revilla said.
“The President will (now) be able to channel his attention to other equally important matters of the country while leaving the department in very capable hands,” he noted.
Laurel will takeover the agency which has been managed by the President since he assumed the presidency last year.
Noting his background on fisheries, Sen. Francis Tolentino said Laurel should be given a chance to prove himself considering the huge challenges facing him as DA secretary.
“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,” Tolentino stressed.
“Only the passage of time will reveal whether the President's decision to appoint him was a wise one,” he pointed out.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III echoed Tolentino’s sentiment: “If Mr. Tui Laurel is a good choice for DA secretary, let us give him time to prove himself.”
“Given Mr. Laurel’s success as a businessman in the fishing sector, then that may be evidence of his knowledge of some agriculture issues,” Pimentel said.
“However, I want to remind the new DA Secretary of the constitutional requirement for divestment from business interests of cabinet members. That would be a great sacrifice for him and I wish him all the best,” he pointed out.
Pimentel, nevertheless, said he welcomes the President’s decision to appoint Laurel: “It’s a good decision to appoint a full-time secretary for the Department of Agriculture as increasing our “food production” must be our top priority.”
On the other hand, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Laurel’s appointment to the agricultural department is a signal that the country’s agricultural sector needs practical and sensible solutions to boost productivity.
“Moreover, it is high time to open up the sector to corporations to invest in especially in mechanization and building economies of scale which the secretary have experience in,” said Gatchalian.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito also wished Laurel “all the best to be able to fix a very complicated problem that is the DA!”
“But I am hopeful since he is already an established and a very successful businessman, a billionaire, and trusted by PBBM, that he might be just the right person to fix the problems of the Department of Importation, este, agriculture!”
But with the gargantuan tasks ahead, Sen. Grace Poe said she wished that the new DA Secretary would “have the focus, fortitude to get things done and genuine feeling for the sector.”
“Agriculture is a vital component of the economy, providing food on the table and sustaining the livelihood of millions. Yet, it has been on a steady decline as a contributor to growth and employment generation,” Poe pointed out.
“As the first order of the day, we hope the new DA chief would take to heart the President's warning in his SONA against smugglers, hoarders and price fixers,” she said.
The senator also stressed the need for the DA to come up with a long-term program that will increase agricultural production and protect the welfare of Filipino farmers.
“Our hardworking farmers and fishers who bring food on the table must not go hungry and must not remain poor,” the lawmaker said.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said Laurel has the management experience and the “common touch” to lead one of the most important agency in the country today.
Zubiri also said he is glad that the President personally headed the DA for a time, and instituted a whole-of-government approach in implementing important reforms in the agricultural sector that strengthened our food security.
“But it is also right that the DA now be helmed by a new Secretary who can be devoted to the agriculture sector, and not have to juggle it with other national concerns. And now that the baton has been passed on to Secretary Laurel, I wish him well in all his endeavors,” the Senate leader said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also welcomed Laurel’s appointment which came after two years of pressing the Chief Executive to appoint a full-time secretary to the DA.
But Hontiveros said she has also heard murmurs of conflict of interest, which she hopes the newly-appointed DA chief will respond to once he faces the Commission on Appointments (CA).
“Considering the Secretary’s background, we have also heard murmurs of conflict of interest. Our commercial fishing fleets have recently resisted efforts of the DA to monitor and regulate their operations,” Hontiveros said.
“I firmly believe that the government's commitment to food security and environmental protection should not be compromised for corporate and oligarchic interests. We will await Secretary Tiu-Laurel when he goes before the Commission on Appointments, so these issues affecting his capacity to lead the DA can be scrutinized and the concerns of our peasant farmers and fisher-folk discussed,” Hontiveros said.
Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said she respects the President’s decision in appointing Laurel.
“The President has his prerogative who to appoint. Let us respect his decision,” Villar said.