Agri stakeholders vow support, cooperation with new Agri chief Laurel

Agriculture industry stakeholders on Friday lauded the appointment of business tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Laurel's appointment was announced by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who held the helm of the DA since he assumed office last year, during a press conference in Malacañang.

Laurel, as the new DA chief, called for the full cooperation of the department and the entire industry to achieve the government's goal, "which is basically modernization and increase of production."

"That is the marching order of the President," Laurel said.

The new Agriculture chief said he would continue Marcos' goals and programs for the agriculture sector. He also vowed to ensure a bountiful agriculture sector, adding that he would provide the public with products that come with the right price.

"We hope that he'll live up to the expectations and directives of the President in supporting local production, boosting the local agri industries; and that importation is only last resort and not the principal policy," Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura executive director Jayson Cainglet said in a statement.

"We are also hoping to hear a firm commitment from the new DA secretary, that he will reject, much more to support, all proposals to reduce tariffs on all agricultural commodities. The challenges in the agri front are daunting but can be won by supporting and strengthening the local agriculture sector,” Cainglet said.

Also welcoming the new DA chief, Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) president emeritus Jesus Cham said Laurel "brings with him a wealth of experience and understanding covering the livestock and fisheries sector."

"We look forward to working with the new secretary," Cham said.

Tugon Kabuhayan convenor Asis Perez, likewise, said, "We welcome his appointment [as] he is very competent and familiar with realities and challenges of production  post harvest and marketing."

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) also lauded Laureal's appointment and wished him success. 

"At the same time, we express the hope that he will listen closely to and act promptly on the concerns particularly of small farmers, municipal fishers and other disadvantaged members of the agricultural sector," the FFF said.

Appointment expected

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) president Danny Fausto said their group is "expecting his appointment for more than a week now.”

"We had a preliminary meeting with him two weeks ago and we had expressed our full support and cooperation for the  benefit of our agriculture stakeholders. We welcome him and we wish him all the luck and the blessings of our Lord," Fausto said.

The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) also expressed optimism on Laurel taking the helm of the DA.

"We wish Secretary Laurel success in his new role as head of the department of agriculture," PAMPI president Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. said in a statement.

"As a proven and tested agribusiness entrepreneur, we are confident that he will be able to manage the agriculture portfolio efficiently and well. We hope that all sectors of agriculture provide him needed advice and support to ensure that agriculture becomes a strong pillar of the national economy," Tiukinhoy said, adding that "PAMPI assures its full support and cooperation to the Department of Agriculture under Secretary Laurel's watch."

Full support

Rolando Tambago, president of Philippine Pork Producers Federation, also extended his "best wishes" to Laurel, adding that the group "can count on the full support of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc."

"Given the challenges in local agriculture, we hope he will fulfill the expectations of promoting and strengthening local production, thereby boosting the agri industries in our country. With his experience leading the Frabelle Group to success, we are confident he can deliver the necessary economic growth in the agriculture sector especially in the pork industry!" Tambago said.

The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) also lauded Laurel's appointment to the DA.

"We are looking forward to work with him and present to him the state of the sugar industry and how the department can extend its assistance and resources to our industry, particularly now that we are in the thick of our milling season," UNIFED president Manuel Lamata said.

A graduate of University of Santo Tomas with a degree in computer science, Laurel sits as the president of the Frabelle Fishing Corporation. According to its website, Frabelle was established in 1966 as a small trawl fishing company before eventually shifting to purse seining small pelagic fish and then to tuna.

By 1981, Frabelle expanded its operations beyond Philippine waters into the Western and Central Pacific regions. It now has a fleet of over 100 vessels and a workforce of 5,000.

Aside from his position in Frabelle, Laurel also holds other positions in other companies such as chairman of the Westpac Meat Processing Corporation, president of Markham Resources Corporation, and chairman of Bukidnon Hydro Energy Corporation.

Laurel was trained in refrigeration, net manufacturing, engine overhauling, electronics, hydraulics, food manufacturing, shipbuilding, and ship repair. —KBK, GMA Integrated News