Panganiban: I’m President’s representative in DA

Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said that he was the representative in the department of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who has also taken on the post of secretary of agriculture.

In the latest episode of The Mangahas Interviews, Panganiban was asked about the supposed need for a full-time secretary of agriculture as well how and how often Marcos connected with the Department of Agriculture.

“Eh, ako na nga ang representative ng Pangulo dito sa DA, I represent the President. On that basis, I appreciate the President’s intervention as far as the DA is concerned as President of this country,” Panganiban said.

The DA official said Marcos’ is focused on his major programs to achieve food security for the country.

“I think his major program is food security and on that basis yun ang atin tinututukan. We are translating the ideas of the President into action by streamlining the activities in rice and corn, fisheries and livestock," he said.

"On that basis we are now trying to select which program should be given the go signal immediately, and which program should be on a regular basis and which program  should be given only the funding that is necessary for the project. Hindi 'yung  lahat at the same time. kinakailangan focus sa rice and corn,  fisheries and livestock,” he added.

Panganiban said officials constantly give an update to the President to keep him aware of what's happening in the agency even if he is not physically present every day.

He said DA officials submit the programs and activities they have undertaken and get feedback.

Marcos earlier called for the operationalization of the “Masagana 150” and “Masagana 200” proposals of former Secretary William Dar, citing the looming food crisis.

The President also earlier proposed a farm-to-market roads masterplan to ease the transport of farm produce to the markets and consumers.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News