Palace on Alcala, Pangilinan: Give them more time

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Presidential Assistant for food security and agricultural modernization Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

MANILA, Philippines – Considering the poor performance of the agriculture sector, who should go? Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala or Presidential Assistant for food security and agricultural modernization Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan?

As far as Malacanang is concerned, it’s too early to decide.

“Ilang buwan pa lamang naman ‘yung ganyang set up. Siguro mas makatwiran kapag full year na ‘yung reckoning, at sa susunod din namang paglabas ng GDP (gross domestic product) data ay makikita muli kung ano ang naging kontribusyon ng iba’t ibang sektor, kasama na ‘nung agricultural sector, at diyan maaari rin nating malaman kung mayroong pagbabago,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters on Tuesday.

(That set-up has been in play for only a few months. Perhaps it is better to wait for a full year and study the next gross domestic product data, which will show the contributions of the sectors, including the agriculture sector. We will then learn if there were any changes.)

Coloma was reacting to Senate President Franklin Drilon’s statement that having two officials oversee the sector did nothing to spur agricultural growth.

The Secretary said the government continues to prioritize the agricultural sector since it is one of the most important aspects of the Philippine economy. He said it also employs a large section of the population.

He said multi-cropping of high-yielding and high-value products is being encouraged among farmers to address the low agricultural productivity.