PNoy appoints former senator Francis Pangilinan as ‘agriculture czar’

President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

According to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., “This is similar to former Senator Ping Lacson’s appointment. Hence, he will also hold the title of Secretary.”

Kiko’s turf, Alcala’s reaction

Pangilinan will take his oath before Aquino at the Malacañan Palace at around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. noted that the President signed on May 5 Executive Order No. 175, which transfers to the Office of the President the following agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA):

1. National Food Authority (NFA)

2. National Irrigation Authority (NIA)

3. Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)

4. Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)

These said agencies will be under Pangilinan.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcalas said he welcomes the appointment of Pangilinan. “Welcome naman po sa atin yan. Napakalaki po ng Department of Agriculture. Makabubuti po na dalawa kaming magtulungan,” he stated in a telephone interview.

However, Alcala also admitted he had failed to make good on some of his targets—among these a promise to make the country self-sufficient in rice production by 2012.

From the Senate to the farm

In June 2013, after two consecutive terms in the Senate, Pangilinan took a break from politics and concentrated on his farm in Alfonso, Cavite.

In an interview on ANC’s Beyond Politics shortly after he settled into his farm routine, Pangilinan had said, “I am also thankful for this opportunity to take this much needed break and spending more time with the family.”

Now, barely a year after his Senate stint ended, Pangilinan is back in government service.

In any case, Pangilinan served as chairman of the Senate’s agriculture committee from 2010 to 2013.