MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Tuesday its roster of new officials after their appointments were approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a news release, the DA announced the designation of Christopher Morales as the Undersecretary of the National Rice Industry Development Program.
Morales earlier performed functions in the DA's Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, Philippine Rural Development Project, Field Operations Service, and Policy and Planning Office.
Marcos also approved the appointment of Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero as Undersecretary for High-Value Crops.
Natividad-Caballero previously served as a consultant in various agricultural projects.
Other appointments also include Dexter Respicio Buted as a board of the Philippine Coconut Authority; businessman Joseph Rudolph Chan Lo as Director IV and assistant to the secretary for various concerns; Telma Cueva Tolentino as Assistant Secretary for finance; Constante de Jesus Palabrica as assistant secretary; Ernesto Celosa Enriquez as Director IV for Internal Audit Service; Larry del Rosario Lacson as Director IV; and Abbey Charles Fabian Gawaran as Director III and DA regional technical director for Davao Region.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. also designated Jerome Oliveros as Undersecretary for special concerns, as well as for official development assistance.
"Oliveros shall oversee the development and implementation of agricultural policies and projects for the benefit of the disadvantaged such as cultural community groups, children, and persons with disabilities," the DA said.
He shall also be in charge of projects for foreign grants or loans except for the Philippine Rural Development Project Additional Financing System 2 and Scale-up, the Mindanao Inclusive Agricultural Development Project, and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa would serve as Oliveros' deputy. (PNA)
