Broiler raisers concerned over Dar's possible reappointment as DA secretary

The United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) on Sunday expressed concerns over the possible reappointment of William Dar as Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary as they were hoping that the next agriculture chief would show real care for local farmers.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, UBRA Chairman Gregorio San Diego, who also chairs the Philippine Egg Board Association, reiterated the concerns of the local farmers, particularly the smaller ones, over the government’s importation of agricultural products from other countries which has affected their cost of production.

“Ang DA, ang mandato nila ay arugain at payabungin ang local agriculture at hindi ang mga importer. Eh wala, walang direksyon eh. Sana matapos na nitang bagong administrasyon ‘yung ganitong polisiya para naman maaruga ‘yung mga farmers. Napakarami nating mahuhusay farmers kaya lang wala namang kalaban laban sa imported na mga produkto,” he said.

(The DA’s mandate is to nurture and improve local agriculture and not the importers. They have no direction. Hopefully, the next administration will address this policy so that the farmers will be supported. We have so many good farmers, but they can't compete with imported products.)

“Nangangamba kami dahil nagpe-present na si Secretary Dar na pwede pa siya kung gugustuhin nitong bagong administrasyon. Kaya sumulat din kami na wag naman. Sana ang malagay na secretary ng Department of Agriculture ay may malasakit sa local farmers,” he added.

(We are worried because Secretary Dar is suggesting that he can continue his job if this is what the new administration wants. We wrote and urged against this. We had hoped that the next Agriculture secretary would care about local farmers.)

UBRA President Elias Jose Inciong earlier criticized a press statement released by the DA, noting Dar’s willingness to serve beyond the present term. Inciong said that the farmers were in “a very difficult situation” when someone like Dar was serving as secretary.

This was echoed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who argued that reappointing Dar as Agriculture secretary would be the next administration's "biggest mistake.”

Dar had been criticized for approving the importation of 60,000 metric tons of fish, including the popular galunggong (blue mackerel scad), during the first quarter of 2022.

This was after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources projected a potential supply deficiency of 119,000 metric tons due to the closed fishing season, with the sector “severely” affected by Typhoon Odette.

Dar said that the DA was looking to start transition talks with the camp of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. later this month, which will include its long-term strategic plan or roadmap, called the National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Dar regarding UBRA’s statement, but he has yet to reply as of this posting. — DVM, GMA News