Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation, lawyer Lorenzo "Larry" G. Gadon, on Friday welcomed the appointment of Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new Department of Agriculture secretary.
Gadon said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s turned over of the department leadership to Tiu will alleviate the plight of farmers and fishermen, with the new Secretary's expertise in agriculture.
"The appointment of Kiko Tiu Laurel as DA secretary is a welcome development in the Marcos administration. Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel has extensive experience in food production and market distribution hence he knows how to play with the forces of demand and supply. We need somebody who knows the intricacies of demand and supply," Gadon said.
He added that Laurel was a part of the Private Sector Advisory Council's agriculture group which was helping the government address food security issues before his appointment.
"One need not be a farmer himself with the experience of planting rice, for what we need is somebody with a vast executive experience in terms of food manufacturing, sourcing, and distribution," Gadon explained.
"I am hopeful that Sec. Kiko Tiu- Laurel could contribute to the efforts of the Marcos administration in reducing poverty incidence among the Filipinos particularly the farmers and fishermen who are on the top list of sectors under the poverty threshold. I welcome the appointment of Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel, I know that he would do a good job," Gadon said.