Laurel reshuffles DA leadership

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made major changes in the leadership of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a statement on Thursday, the DA said the reshuffling of key management positions within the agency was “meant to more efficiently carry out President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s marching orders to modernize the farm sector and ensure the country's food security.”

The Agriculture Department said Laurel earlier issued a series of special orders reassigning certain key DA officials “to better harness their talents and vast experience.”

In particular, Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian had to give up his multiple roles after his appointment as adviser to the DA chief under the secretary’s Technical Advisory Group to leverage his deep understanding of the farm sector, particularly rice production.

Sebastian was previously assigned as the undersecretary for the Rice Industry Development Program. 

Replacing Sebastian in the DA rice unit was U-Nichols Manalo, who was named director of the National Rice Program —which Manalo will hold concurrent to his position as director IV and officer-in-charge-director of field operations service, and director of the national corn program.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa was designated as full-time spokesperson of the DA.

Moreover, officer-in-charge (OIC) Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro will also act as OIC-Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development, OIC-national project director of the Philippine Rural Development Project, and OIC-Assistant Secretary for Operations.

Undersecretary for Fisheries Drusila Esther Bayate was named Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Regulations in a concurrent capacity.

Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla was assigned to oversee operations and coordinate programs of the DA Bureaus.

Chief Administrative Officer and OIC director for financial and management service Thelma Tolentino was appointed in current capacity as Undersecretary-designate for Finance.

Undersecretary Agnes Catherine Miranda was tasked to supervise, oversee operations, and coordinate programs of DA Attached Agencies and Corporations.

The DA said Laurel also created a team that will address concerns, requests and facilitate submissions of the DA to the Office of the President-Presidential Management Staff.

“Further changes in the DA leadership are likely given the temporary nature of certain appointments and the additional work load placed on the shoulder of certain officials,” the DA said. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News