Two ranking officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) were given an ultimatum to shape up in the next six months of 2025 as they are “not performing as expected", Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
During an interview with reporters in Makati on Monday, Dec. 16, Laurel revealed that they have the first six months of next year to be at the top of their game and show the secretary they are worthy of their posts, saying his “expectation is quite high.”
“Ang ayaw ko lang sa [sa kanilang dalawa] ay ako pang kailangang tumutok para matapos (What I don’t like with the two of them is that I need to focus on their tasks to make sure it is executed),” he said.
“Despite my busy schedule, kailangan kong tumigil para maayos at mapapirmahan ang dapat pirmahan (Despite my busy schedule, I had to stop to make sure that necessary documents have been signed).”
The DA chief said the two ranking officials of the agriculture department failed in their “obligation” to the agency.
“Hindi ko naman sinasabi na hindi ako natutuwa [sa performance nila] (I am not saying that I am not happy with their performance),” he said.
Laurel said the two officials are aware that they are not reaching the high expectations of the DA secretary.
According to him, the performance of the two officials is not so “grabe (severe).”
“We have to give them a chance. Hindi naman grabe (Their performance is not that severe). First six months of next year we’ll tell me,” said Laurel.
Laurel and his “dream team” of appointed officials have been serving at the DA for over a year now.