Laurel appoints more members to DA management

Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has appointed more officials to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) management.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DA said Laurel’s filling of more positions in his official family was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s marching orders to modernize the farm sector, increase food production, and improve the lives of millions of Filipino farmers and fishermen.

The DA said Laurel designated Jerome Oliveros as Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for Official Development Assistance-Foreign Aid/Grants. 

Oliveros shall oversee the development and implementation of agricultural policies and projects aimed at improving the quality of life of disadvantaged and cultural community groups, children, youth, persons with disability, senior citizens and elderly, according to the Agriculture Department.

The DA added that Oliveros, a former city administrator of Bacoor, Cavite, shall lead the identification and coordination of project proposals for possible grants/aid from ODA or institutional donors and potential partners as part of his role as undersecretary for ODA-foreign aid/grants.

Laurel also named Drusila Esther Bayate, Undersecretary for Fisheries and for Policy, Planning and Regulation, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Secretary during the Agriculture chief’s official travel to Vietnam on January 28 to 31.

Earlier appointments include the designation of Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa as DA spokesperson; Project Development Officer IV Alvin Paul Dirain as deputy program director of the DA-National Livestock Program; Angelita Martir as officer-in-charge, national deputy project director of the Philippine Rural Development Project-National Project Coordinator Office; Agricultural Center Chief II Mario Ruinata as officer-in-charge, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Regional Office No. 4; and Planning Officer V Joseph Manicad as officer-in-charge, director, Planning and Monitoring Service.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News