Sebastian also quitting DA after downgrade

MANILA, Philippines — Another senior official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) opted to retire amid the ongoing major reshuffle being implemented by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

DA spokesperson Arnel de Mesa confirmed yesterday that Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian will retire effective Feb. 1 after he was replaced as undersecretary for rice industry development by officer-in-charge Roger Navarro.

Laurel issued Special Order No. 1 downgrading the position of Sebastian to a member of the secretary’s technical advisory group.

Former agriculture senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban also chose to retire from government service amid the reorganization at the DA. His retirement took effect on Jan. 1.

De Mesa maintained that the retirement of both Panganiban and Sebastian was their own decision.

“It was their own decision to retire, nothing (controversial, rift with the DA), there is nothing. This is (a normal course) since we have a new administration, so this is part of courtesy and others are (part) of the decision of the Secretary,” he said.

De Mesa said that the reorganization is part of efforts to ensure an efficient operation and management of the DA.

“We expect additional movement not only in the central office but also the bureaus and regional offices,” he added.

According to De Mesa, it is up to President Marcos if he will appoint another senior undersecretary after the retirement of Panganiban but Secretary Laurel can recommend.

De Mesa said that at present, there are six remaining undersecretaries of the DA following the retirement of Panganiban and Sebastian.

Laurel has also formed a team at the DA that is solely authorized to prepare communications with the Office of the President (OP).

SO 8 appointed Field Operation Service OIC director U-Nichols Manalo as team leader of the OP-Presidential Management Staff Concerns with Michael Sollera as co-team leader.

De Mesa assured the public of improved services of the DA.

“Definitely you can expect changes in the policy towards the goal of improvement in our response and the implementation of various programs,” he said.

The retail price of rice has further increased in the