New NFA head assumes post

MANILA, Philippines — The National Food Authority finally has a new administrator with the appointment of Judy Dansal who rose from the ranks.

Dansal is replacing officer-in-charge administrator Tomas Escarez, who will return to his post as deputy administrator for finance.

Escarez temporarily held the highest position in NFA after the state-run grains agency’s  former chief Jason Aquino stepped down last year amid the rice shortage issue.

“Judy is good. She is an insider and she knows the dynamics,” Escarez said.

Dansal joined NFA in 1977, serving as deputy administrator for marketing operations and chairman of the Committee on Government-to-Private Procurement.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea earlier said President Duterte would appoint a career official as administrator.

Medialdea and Dansal were classmates at the San Beda University.

Dansal will also serve as member of the NFA council in a concurrent capacity.

She was named member of the NFA Council last June 11.