President Rodrigo Duterte has returned the supervision of the National Food Authority (NFA) back to the Department of Agriculture (DA), Malacañang announced on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said the NFA Council would not be dissolved contrary to the earlier claim of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol that the President wanted its abolition.
“The NFA, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) will be made attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA),” Roque explained in a statement.
Roque said Duterte made the directive during the NFA Council meeting in Malacañang on Monday.
The NFA Council is an 18-member policy-making body of the NFA headed by Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr.
Roque, however, refused to confirm if Evasco was removed as head of the NFA Council following the transfer of NFA to DA.
Piñol also refused to give his comments and said Roque would be the one to make the announcement on any changes in the NFA Council.
Roque is expected to hold a press briefing in Boracay on Tuesday afternoon.
“The NFA Council will not be abolished,” Roque said.
According to Roque, NFA Council member Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) however has requested to be relieved from the council, so that it may focus on its other projects, which request was approved.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Roque said, would take the place of DBP in the NFA Council.
Moreover, Roque said that President Duterte likewise gave NFA the authority “to import 250,000 MT through government to government (G2G) mode to replenish the rice inventory.”
“Imported rice is set to arrive soon,” the Palace official noted.
“Subsequent importation is to be done by G2P or auction and importation will be implemented / supervised by the Executive Council Committee headed by the Office of the President (OP),” Roque added. /kga
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