House leaders want PBBM to remain DA chief

By Maricel V. Cruz

TWO leaders of the House of Representatives on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should continue holding the portfolio as concurrent Department of Agriculture (DA) chief. Reps. Wilfrido Mark Enverga of Quezo and Stella Quimbo of Marikina City at a news conference said the President has effectively handled long-time problems of the agency.

“I would prefer still...the President, to stay as [DA] secretary,” Enverga said in response to the clamor for Mr. Marcos to appoint a full-time DA chief.

Enverga chairs the House Committee on Agriculture and Food which has been conducting a congressional inquiry in aid of legislation on the alleged anti-competitive practices and cartel in the onion industry.

In the course of their investigation, legislators believed there was an artificial shortage of the commodity that led to high prices during the Christmas Season 2022.

Enverga said the presence of the President at the DA being at the helm of the department is crucial.

“That’s an important factor because these problems aren’t new. These are old problems. It is only now that we’re uncovering them and seeing the weaknesses of the agency,” he noted.

If anything, he said that the DA needs “step up their game” in providing the President with the proper data.

MEETING WITH THE SPEAKER.

Tolosa Leyte Mayor Erwin Ocaña pays a courtesy call on House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez at the House of Representatives Wednesday afternoon. Romualdez is the representative of Leyte’s first district. Ver Noveno