Hog farmers hail Yap appointment as jobs czar

The National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc.(NFHFI) hailed President Arroyo’s decision to create the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Job Creation (OPAJC) and to appoint former Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap as its head.

NFHFI national chairman Nemesio G. Go said in a statement: "Job creation has always been the top among the president’s priority programs, and we in the our organization the OPAJC, with the right person at its helm will manage to pull together, coordinate and direct the various government programs to generate jobs, assist local entrepreneurs and supply the public with adequate and affordable food.

NFHFI president Albert R.T. Lim Jr. praised the president: "She could not have made a better choice. Secretary Arthur Yap brings his direct links between producers and in such efforts as the DA-private sector in public, pre-packaged vegetables "May Gulay". The Huwarang Palengke program which offer pre-packaged chicken and pork products, is also his brainchild.

"We firmly believe that government must prioritize job creations to fulfill its commitments to make poverty a thing of the past. We just as firmly believe in Secretary Yap’s ability to perfrom well in his new designation. Although we were disappointed with his short stay in the Department of Agriculture we are consoled by the fact that he will take on such a vital responsibility and service to his countrymen and country. Before being appointed as secretary of agriculture he was administrator of the National Food Authority.