Dar to replace Piñol as agriculture chief

Dr. William Dar (middle) in a cornfield in Cauringan, Sison, Pangasinan.

MANILA, Philippines–Dr. William Dar, former director-general of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), will replace Emmanuel Piñol as the next agriculture secretary.

In a phone interview with Inquirer, Dar – who has been involved in the agriculture sector for decades – confirmed that he has a scheduled appointment in Malacañang this afternoon.

He also briefly served as an acting secretary for agriculture during the Estrada administration.

According to sources, Dar has received the endorsement of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Senator Cynthia Villar, but this was neither confirmed nor denied by both parties.

His appointment runs counter to the latest pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that the next agriculture chief would be a former member of the military.

Dar earned his doctoral degree at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, and was a professor at the Benguet State University.

He was also the first director of the Department of Agriculture’s research arm known as the Bureau of Agricultural Research.

“William Dar has the educational qualifications, domestic and international experience in the field of agriculture,” Dominguez said.

Employees of the DA who talked to the Inquirer also warmly received Dar’s appointment, adding that the former official has the background to head the sector.

According to sources, he is set to take his oath-taking at 2 p.m. this afternoon.

Reached for comment, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte has yet to choose who would replace Piñol as agriculture chief.

“The OP (Office of the President) has received several recommendations but the President has yet to decide on it,” Medialdea told INQUIRER.net. With a report from Nestor Corrales, INQUIRER.net