'Changes' within DA expected as new chief Laurel takes over —spox

There will be "significant changes" within the management of the Department of Agriculture (DA) under its new chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., according to DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa on Saturday. 

De Mesa said that the changes that might be implemented will primarily focus on  “for the improvement of management and operations of the DA.”

He added that the changes will also aim to make the department and the entire agriculture sector stronger and more stable.

“We have been having meetings with him, in the Palace, since he is a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council,” de Mesa said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

As to the reshuffle within the upper executives of the DA, de Mesa said it would be “upon the discretion of our new secretary.”

On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the appointment of Laurel as his successor to the helm of the DA —a position the President had held since he assumed office last year.

Asked about his marching orders for Laurel, Marcos said earlier that he wants the new DA chief to control the surging prices of agricultural products.

"Well, the obvious one is trying to gain control of the prices of all the agricultural commodities that are going up at tinatamaan tayo ng 'yun na nga, 'yung napag-usapan ko, climate change, alam niyo na lahat 'yung swine flu, alam niyo na lahat 'yung avian flu na tumatama sa atin (climate change has been hitting us, as well as the swine flu and the avian flu)," he said.

Marcos also said he wants Laurel to improve the agriculture production and mechanization.

In his remarks, Laurel 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.

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.

He trained in refrigeration, net manufacturing, engine overhauling, electronics, hydraulics, food manufacturing, shipbuilding, and ship repair.

Agriculture industry stakeholders, meanwhile, lauded Laurel's appointment to lead the DA. In separate statements, they vowed to support him and cooperate with him. —VAL, GMA Integrated News