Newly appointed Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr.'s vast experience in the private sector is good and will propel the agency to the benefit of the agricultural sector.

This was the perspective shared by DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa at the weekly Saturday News forum in Quezon City, yesterday morning.

De Mesa also expressed confidence that Secretary Tiu Laurel Jr. is capable of bringing in new perspectives and directions for the department and its stakeholders.

De Mesa added that the new Secretary reported to the agency's headquarters shortly after he was sworn in on Friday morning and met with other officials.

"Nag-report ang ating bagong kalihim kahapon, he already had a meeting with senior Usec Panganiban, and several other meetings. And sumubak agad po sa trabaho sa unang araw and wine-welcome namin siya sa Department of Agriculture," De Mesa said.

He noted that Secretary Tiu Laurel will continue to carry out the marching order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on expanding local agricultural production and ensuring affordable prices for agricultural commodities, stressing that the agriculture sector is not new to him.

De Mesa said that Laurel and as a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council have exposed him to the industry's multifaceted challenges and concerns.

"Iyan ang gusto namin na mag-infuse talaga ng kanyang experience, karanasan galing sa private sector at malaki iyong maitutulong ng ganitong perspektiba pagdating doon sa mga polisiya sa implementasyon at management ng buong kagawaran," he said.

"Dahil manggagaling din siya sa labas iyong kanyang mga i-infuse na mga direction ay sa tingin namin malaki ang maitutulong na ambag sa DA at sa lahat ng mga stakeholders," he added.

Before his new post, Laurel Jr. headed the Frabelle Fishing Corporation. he also held key positions in Gravelle Shipyard Corporation, Frabelle Properties Corporation, Markham Resources Corporation, Bacoor Seafront Development Corporation, and Bukidnon Hydro Energy Corporation.

Tiu Laurel Jr. had already divested his interest from these companies when he took public office in compliance with the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.