Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban has taken over the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) as its officer-in-charge, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed on Wednesday.
*President Marcos and Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban (Bongbong Marcos / Facebook)*
In a text message to reporters, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Panganiban was designated SRA OIC and will serve the post until a permanent administrator is appointed. "Yes, Sir, until a new administrator is appointed," Garafil said. Panganiban served as Agriculture secretary under former presidents Joseph Estrada in 2001 and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005. Panganiban took over the helm of the SRA following the resignation of David John Thaddeus Alba as SRA administrator due to health reasons last month. Alba's resignation took effect on April 15. According to the PCO, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin tried to discourage Alba from quitting the SRA, but his health kept him from doing his job. "Administrator David John Thaddeus Alba visited ES Lucas Bersamin last Wednesday, informing him of his decision to resign," it said. "ES Lucas Bersamin persuaded him not to, but he reasoned his worsening health condition," it added. President Marcos appointed Alba as acting SRA administrator in August last year after the President rejected Sugar Order No. 4, signed by former members of the Sugar Regulatory Board. The DA, concurrently headed by Marcos, is the parent agency of the SRA.
*President Marcos and Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban (Bongbong Marcos / Facebook)*
In a text message to reporters, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said Panganiban was designated SRA OIC and will serve the post until a permanent administrator is appointed. "Yes, Sir, until a new administrator is appointed," Garafil said. Panganiban served as Agriculture secretary under former presidents Joseph Estrada in 2001 and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005. Panganiban took over the helm of the SRA following the resignation of David John Thaddeus Alba as SRA administrator due to health reasons last month. Alba's resignation took effect on April 15. According to the PCO, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin tried to discourage Alba from quitting the SRA, but his health kept him from doing his job. "Administrator David John Thaddeus Alba visited ES Lucas Bersamin last Wednesday, informing him of his decision to resign," it said. "ES Lucas Bersamin persuaded him not to, but he reasoned his worsening health condition," it added. President Marcos appointed Alba as acting SRA administrator in August last year after the President rejected Sugar Order No. 4, signed by former members of the Sugar Regulatory Board. The DA, concurrently headed by Marcos, is the parent agency of the SRA.