Laurel addresses NFA, BFAR chief suspension

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that there is no need to make a major revamp in its attached offices following the suspensions of the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) chiefs as ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In March, the Ombudsman directed the preventive suspension of 139 NFA officials and employees, including administrator Roderico Bioco, amid the investigation into the alleged anomalous rice buffer stock sale to certain traders.

Meanwhile, on 17 April this year, the DA announced the appointment of BFAR regional director Isidro Velayo Jr. as the agency's officer-in-charge (OIC) following the dismissal of director Atty. Demosthenes Escoto, who was found guilty of grave misconduct in a graft case arising from BFAR's procurement of communications equipment in 2018.

Escoto, prior to his dismissal, was tasked with heading the NFA probe panel, along with Atty. Willie Ann Angsiy and Assistant Secretary James Layug.

Agri chief Laurel says he thinks that both cases are 'isolated incidents.'

"The former NFA administrator's case happened early this year while the case of director Escoto happened in 2017. It's just unfortunate that the orders of the Ombudsman were issued one after the other," he said.

Laurel added that Escoto's relief from BFAR should not significantly affect the NFA probe, which should be completed in the coming weeks; furthermore, he noted that the NFA and BFAR operations are proceeding as usual.

Larry Lacson currently acts as the NFA OIC administrator.