HOUSE Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe today said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made a perfect choice in appointing fishing magnate Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. as the new head of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
According to Dalipe, Tiu’s vast experience in the fishing sector and food production would greatly help the Marcos administration in crafting the best strategy to ensure food security.
His familiarity with the importance of having cutting-edge technologies for food preservation and storage will translate to lesser food wastage and longer shelf life for the country’s agricultural
produce.
“ Every year, billions worth of agricultural products go to waste because we have not been investing in storage and preservation facilities. This appointment of Secretary Laurel in the DA would hopefully change that,” Dalipe said.
“We welcome President Marcos’ decision to appoint Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. as the new head of the Department of Agriculture. With Mr. Laurel’s extensive experience in the fishing and agricultural sectors, I believe he is well-suited to address the challenges our agricultural industry faces,” Dalipe said.
Before his appointment, Laurel heads the Frabelle Fishing Corporation, known for its specialization in fresh, frozen, and processed seafood. His additional role as the president of the Agusan Power Corporation demonstrates his commitment to various aspects of agriculture.
“It is essential that we have a leader who understands the complex issues surrounding agriculture and can work towards modernization and food security, not only to boost production but also to increase the shelf life of our agricultural produce. I look forward to collaborating with the new DA chief and the administration to achieve these goals for the benefit of our people,” Dalipe said.
President Marcos has given Laurel a significant mandate to gain control over the prices of agricultural commodities, a pressing issue that affects many Filipinos. Laurel is also expected to focus on the cost of farm production and mechanization, seeking inspiration from neighboring countries to enhance the Philippine agricultural landscape.
“ This appointment reflects President Marcos’s commitment to appoint an agricultural expert to head the Department of Agriculture and is a significant step in addressing the agricultural challenges facing the nation,” Dalipe added.
