Ex-Agri chief Piñol says some offices under DA need to be 'downsized'

Former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol on Tuesday said some offices under the Department of Agriculture (DA) need to be "downsized."

"There are actually agencies of government under the Department of Agriculture that should be downsized. Retrofitting ika nga," Piñol said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

"Kailangan maisama na doon sa ibang ahensya kasi nagdu-duplicate na 'yung functions [They could be included in other agencies so that their functions will not be duplicated]."

His remark came after President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. bared his intention to "restructure" the agency when he sits as its temporary head

Piñol mentioned the National Irrigation Authority and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, which, according to him, have double functions when it comes to irrigation.

"Those are duplicating functions actually. Isa 'yun sa mga tinitingnan natin na puwedeng i-gather or i-lump into one agency para maging effective na isang programa," Piñol said.

[Those two offices are among those that could be turned into one agency to ensure efficient programs.]

Aside from restructuring the DA, the Marcos administration also intends to increase food production in the country in order to address the soaring prices of food products.

Marcos said he wants to give high priority towards the agriculture sector "because the events of the global economy are moving very quickly."  —KBK, GMA News