The Department of Agriculture (DA) underwent a reshuffling of officials.
DA Asec. Arnel De Mesa confirmed on Friday, November 10, that newly-appointed Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. designated Atty. Alvin John Balagbag as his Chief of Staff.
Balagbag replaces DA Asec. Rex Estoperez.
"Ito naman talaga ay napaka-importante sa ating kalihim na yung kanyang trust and confidence, yung kanyang chief of staff," De Mesa said during DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
De Mesa also revealed that Laurel tasked DA Asec. Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra to lead the Kadiwa Program, which was formerly headed by relieved DA Asec. Kristine Evangelista.
The Ombudsman dismissed Evangelista from government service, and ordered the filing of charges against her over the shortage in the supply of onions in local markets earlier this year, and the alleged anomalous procurement of onions.
De Mesa also confirmed that the office of DA Usec. Domingo Panganiban has been moved to the Bureau of Soil and Water Management.
"Yung ini-occupy ni Usec. Panganiban ay opisina ng ating kalihim. Dahil may bago na tayong secretary, kailangan mag-give way ni Usec. Panganiban," De Mesa explained.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named Laurel as DA secretary during a press conference on November 3.
