DA secretary looking forward to working with Pangilinan

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Tuesday said he welcomes the appointment of former Senator Francis Pangilinan as presidential assistant on food security and agricultural modernization, becoming the newest member of the Cabinet.

“I have personally known him to be a man of competence and commendable work ethic, having worked with him previously when he served as chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture and food on his last term,” Alcala said.

He said Pangilinan's love for farming and his push for sustainable growth and prosperity in Philippine agriculture are commendable.

“Thus, I am confident that he will be effective in his new role in public service, notably in President Benigno Aquino III’s economic team tasked to formulate and execute strategies aimed at attaining more meaningful or inclusive socio-economic development,” Alcala said.

Pangilinan, in his new role, is tasked to exercise oversight functions over four agencies previously attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA): the National Food Authority, National Irrigation Authority, Philippine Coconut Authority and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, among others.

"We at the DA family look forward to discussing with him his specific assignments from the President himself. We hope to start working with him, together, to fulfill these tasks at the soonest possible time,” Alcala said.