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Dar enjoys Duterte’s trust, confidence: Palace

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

March 16, 2021, 5:19 pm

<p>Agriculture Secretary William Dar <em>(File photo)</em></p>

Agriculture Secretary William Dar (File photo)

MANILA – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar continues to enjoy President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust and confidence, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement in an online press briefing, amid calls for Dar’s resignation due to DA’s supposed failure to address concerns over rising food prices in the markets.

“Sa pagre-resign, may tiwala pa rin po ang ating Presidente kay Secretary Dar. Sa lahat po ng mga member ng Cabinet (On calls for resignation, the President still trusts Secretary Dar. All Cabinet members), we continue to work or remain in our duties for as long as the President has full trust and confidence in us,” Roque said.

Calls for Dar’s resignation mounted following the surge in prices of pork products and his alleged slow response to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.

Nicanor Briones, vice president for Luzon of the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, in February sought Duterte’s intervention as he accused Dar of allegedly “favoring” importers and smugglers over local traders.

Also last month, Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, claimed that Dar is behind the “worsening” state of domestic agriculture and farmers in the country.

Dar earlier said it is “unfair” to ask him to quit his post, saying his agency has already implemented several measures to address the rising prices of pork products.

Meantime, Senator Panfilo Lacson exposed Monday the so-called “tongpats” (kickback) scheme prevailing in the country’s meat importation system.

Lacson, citing information from a “highly placed source”, disclosed during Monday’s plenary session that certain Agriculture officials are getting PHP5 to PHP7 per kilogram of imported pork.

He warned that the unscrupulous DA officials could earn up to PHP6 billion, once the proposed increase in the minimum access volume (MAV) for imported pork to as much as 400,000 metric tons of pork from the current 54,00 metric tons is approved.

Roque is confident that Duterte would call for an investigation into the alleged “tongpats” modus.

Tignan po natin kung may katotohanan iyan. I’m sure since nilabas po iyan eh paiimbestigahan po iyan ng ating Presidente (Let’s see if there’s truth to that. I’m sure since that has been revealed, the President will order an investigation),” he said.

The Senate adopted Monday a resolution, urging Duterte to declare a state of national calamity due to the severe impact of ASF on the hog industry.

Roque said the Palace is still awaiting the DA’s recommendation on the proposal to declare a state of emergency.

“We welcome that po and as I said, dina-draft na po ng DA ang communication sa Malacañang (We welcome the Senate’s move and as I said, the DA is already the drafting the communication that will be transmitted to Malacañang),” he said.

Following concerns over the rising food prices in the country, DA is set to hold a food security summit with local government units and the private sector to craft a plan to ensure food security amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

On Feb. 1, Duterte inked Executive Order 124 which imposes a price ceiling of PHP270 per kilo for pork kasim and pigue, PHP300 per kilo for pork liempo, and PHP160 per kilo for dressed chicken.

Malacañang also announced on Feb. 17 that the government would allow the importation of pork products if the supply remains insufficient. (PNA)


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