Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Pagdanganan,erstwhile presidential adviser on cooperative development, will assume his new post on Jan. 20, replacing Hernani Braganza.
Braganza, a former Pangasinan congressman, will assume his new post as press secretary.
Bunye defended the appointment against critics who pointed out Pagdanganan had no experience in implementing agrarian reform programs.
"We know him to be a very capable and honest person," Bunye said. "As we say in all presidential appointments, this is the prerogative of the President, and the President chooses them on the basis of their perceived ability to implement the programs of the government."
Pagdanganan, for his part, said the appointment was "a big challenge" while admitting he has to familiarize himself with his new job as DAR secretary.
He vowed, however, to pursue the agrarian reform programs of the Arroyo administration.
Pagdanganan said he will continue and expedite some projects left by Braganza as a starting point.
"I am quite surprised but I welcome the appointment and am glad to serving the people thru the DAR," he said.
He said Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo informed him of Mrs. Arroyo’s decision, saying his work as adviser on cooperative development is related to his new post.
Pagdanganan said he has the experience of dealing with farmers since he is also the chairman of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).
Following a meeting with Mrs. Arroyo early yesterday, Pagdanganan said the President ordered him to facilitate the distribution of some 200,000 hectares of land during the year.
Mrs. Arroyo also told Pagdanganan to ensure increased income for farmers, develop and empower cooperatives, and push for the passage of a law which will enable farmers to raise capital by accepting titles to farmlands as collateral.
Pagdanganan said he expects to meet with DAR employees to solicit their support in implementing priority programs.
DAR employees, for their part, welcomed the appointment of Pagdanganan.
Violeta Bonilla, president of the 13,000-strong DAR Employees Association (Darea) said employees felt relieved upon learning of the appointment.
Bonilla said the appointment of Pagdanganan as DAR chief signals "a fresh start."
"We have to start anew. We will always be supportive of President Arroyo’s good governance," she said.
As news of the appointment came in, employees immediately started to prepare a program to welcome Pagdanganan on Monday, Bonilla said.
"Our celebration in line with the welcome activities for the new secretary will include firecracker display," she said.
Ric Reyes, executive director of the Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Services (PARRDS), however, doubted the appointment of Pagdanganan.
Reyes pointed out the former governor has no experience in implementing agrarian reform programs.
"While we welcome the replacement of Braganza, we are disappointed because he (Pagdanganan) has no experience on agrarian reform, and no track record of strong commitment to agrarian reform," he said.
Reyes, whose organization is allied with various farmers groups, said the appointment was rather late.
He stressed that farmers impatience had built up and expressed his concern over Pagdanganan’s capability of overcoming the odds in implementing agrarian reform.
Reyes stressed the new DAR chief should have extensive experience and knowledge on agrarian reform programs.
PARRDS has nominated Victor Gerardo Bulatao as replacement saying he has more experience in dealing with farmers on agrarian reform programs. Bulatao was DAR undersecretary for operations during the term of Ernesto Garilao in 1997 to 1998.
Reyes said they will continue to press the new DAR chief for reforms. "There will be no letup on mass pressure. We thought the President is really into reforms (in appointing Pagdanganan)," Reyes lamented.
Pagdanganan ran for senator but lost in the May 14, 2001 elections under the ruling People Power Coalition.
He was governor of Bulacan for three consecutive terms until 1998 and was elected president of the League of Governors.
A chemical engineer by profession, Pagdanganan placed 11th in the 1968 Board examinations shortly after graduating summa cum laude from Manuel L. Quezon University.
Pagdanganan became the fourth official to be named in the ongoing Cabinet reshuffle in two weeks.
Shortly before Mrs. Arroyo announced she will no longer run in the 2004 presidential elections, Hernando Perez became the first to exit from the Cabinet after tendering his resignation as secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Perez took a leave of absence following the extortion accusations made against him by Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, now facing trial in the United States.
Secretary Simeon Datumanong of the Department of Public Works and Highways was appointed to replace Perez as DOJ chief while Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando was appointed as the new DPWH head.
Fernando who still holds his post as MMDA chief is now under fire from some lawmakers for his dual positions. — With Jose Rodel Clapano, AFP