Laurel continues DA revamp

MANILA, Philippines — More new officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) have been named as Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. continues to reorganize  the department.

Laurel issued Special Order 92 designating Christopher Bañas as executive director of the DA-Mimaropa office, replacing Maria Christine Inting.

“All officials and employees of the department, including its bureaus, attached agencies and corporations as well as DA regional field offices are advised of this designation and directed to give their full support and cooperation to Bañas in the performance of his duties and responsibilities,” the order read.

Bañas served as chief of the DA’s management audit division.

Laurel appointed Inting as technical adviser to the undersecretary for operations.

Under Special Order 87, Laurel designated Jerome Oliveros as undersecretary for special concerns and official development assistance-foreign aid and grants.

Laurel said the reorganization is necessary to help him pursue President Marcos’ order to modernize the farm sector, increase food production and improve the lives of Filipino farmers and fishermen.

Laurel had earlier replaced Leocardio Sebastian as undersecretary for rice industry development, the flagship program of the DA.

Roger Navarro replaced Sebastian.

Laurel also issued Special Order 3, appointing Navarro as officer-in-charge of the Office of the National Project Director, Philippine Rural Development Project and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Operations.

Navarro served as special assistant to National Food Authority Administrator Roderico Bioco.

Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa was replaced as assistant secretary for operations. He was appointed as full-time DA spokesperson.

Laurel issued Special Order 5 appointing Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla as undersecretary for DA bureaus, replacing her as undersecretary for policy, planning and regulations.

Drusila Esther Bayate was appointed to Sombilla’s previous post.

Laurel also issued special orders appointing U-Nichols Manalo as National Rice Program director and Telma Tolentino as undersecretary-designate for finance, replacing Undersecretary Agnes Catherine Miranda.

The revamp of DA officials came after former senior undersecretary Domingo Panganiban opted to retire from government service.

Panganiban, who took his oath on Aug. 12, 2022, retired effective last Jan. 1.