NFA administrator Jason Laureano Aquino INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Administration officials who cannot do their job should move to the private sector, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Wednesday, as Senators Grace Poe and Bam Aquino called on National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Jason Aquino to resign for failing to ensure food security for the people.
Roque backed Sen. Cynthia Villar, who chided Aquino during a hearing called by the Senate agriculture committee on Tuesday for sparking an alarm over the NFA’s dwindling rice stock.
Aquino announced earlier that the NFA’s rice buffer stock was good for only two days.
If officials cannot do their jobs, they should leave government service, Roque said.
“So my call to government officials, especially those appointed by President Duterte: We are here to serve the public and if we find it difficult to do so, maybe it’s time to consider another career in the private sector,” he said.
In the Senate, Poe said she hoped the NFA chief would be replaced by someone who could do the job.
“If he has delicadeza or conscience, as this is a big shortcoming on his job, maybe he [should] resign,” Poe said.
Senator Aquino said, “We need someone who can get the job done.” —REPORTS FROM LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO