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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider New head of the National Food Authority named

New head of the National Food Authority named

Published Mar 18, 2024 10:33 am
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NFA OIC Administrator Larry Lacson

Department of Agriculture (DA) Director IV Larry Lacson has been appointed as officer-in-charge of the National Food Authority (NFA) following a controversy that hit the agency over rice buffer stock.

Lacson, who served as director of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) from July 2009 to August 2010, was unanimously chosen by the NFA Council, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr.

“The NFA Council has unanimously appointed Director Larry Lacson as OIC-Administrator to make sure the operations of the agency runs smoothly, especially during this harvest season. The NFA is an integral part of our effort to ensure the country’s food security,” said Laurel. 

Lacson, for his part, has vowed do his best so that “NFA can move forward amidst the issues that the agency is facing.”

According to the agriculture department, Lacson is a doctor of Agricultural Science, majoring in crop science, from the De La Salle Araneta University.

He is a member of Philippine Food Expo Inc. (PhilFoodex) and a former co-chairman of the agriculture and fisheries committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Lacson is the second OIC appointed by the NFA Council this year after the Ombudsman suspended former NFA OIC Piolito Santos on March 12. He was suspended over his alleged links to the “improper sale” of NFA rice buffer stocks.

Santos was appointed by the NFA Council on March 6.

On March 4, the Ombudsman suspended 139 NFA officials and employees over their alleged involvement in the “improper sale” of rice buffer stock.

Recently, the Ombudsman lifted the suspension of 24 NFA personnel, citing “faulty data” as the reason for their reinstatement.

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