DAR Secretary Estrella supports new DA Secretary Laurel

After more than a year of concurrently serving as agriculture chief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed a new Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary. The President turned over his leadership of the DA to Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. on the first working day of November.

Before taking his oath, Secretary Laurel worked in various international agricultural and fishery organizations, according to the official news release of the agriculture department.

In a Malacañang press conference, President Marcos announced that the DA will focus on mitigating the effects of climate change, particularly on the skyrocketing prices of agricultural commodities.

“In the immediate term – hindi lang short term – kundi in the immediate term, kailangan natin ma-control at tignan kung paano natin gagawin [ito],” the Chief Executive said. “At the same time, kasabay nito is the longer term: yung production at saka cost of production, mechanization, lahat ng mga bagay na iyan.”

Secretary Laurel committed to implementing the President’s plans to the letter: “Importanteng buo ang Departamento sa isang goal, which is basically modernization at increase of production. Iyan ho ang marching order sa atin ni Presidente.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), under the leadership of Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, had been heading in the direction of the administration’s thrust toward farm mechanization and yield maximization. Projects like the Climate-Resilient Farm Productivity Support and the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities aim for food security amid the challenges of climate change.

In a press statement, the agrarian reform chief expressed his support for Secretary Laurel’s appointment: “That he was chosen by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for the job of Agriculture Secretary is a solid testimony to the confidence of the President in his ability to overcome these challenges.”

Secretary Estrella further called on the DAR to work in synergy with the DA to bring to life the government’s goal of a productive and sustainable agriculture industry.

“Our task is to follow this roadmap and make sure that the next five years will bring to life the