"I've known him since we were boys." - Marcos appoints Laurel Jr. as DA chief

𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘺: 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary during a press briefing on Friday.

"I have just administered the oath of office for the new secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Francisco Laurel," Marcos said in a press conference in Malacañang.

He added that he found somebody who could comprehend the problems faced by agriculture.

"I've known him since we were boys. So, malakas ang loob ko na ma-i-appoint siya kasi kilala ko pagkatao niya. Alam kong napakasipag nito, unang-una. Pangalawa, nauunawaan niya nang mabuti ang sistema ng agrikultura dito sa Pilipinas," Marcos stated.

Laurel was also tasked to explore and improve the system of agriculture.

"Pangunahing adhikain ko ang pagtiyak na sagana ang ating ani at siguruhing ito ay makakarating sa hapag ng bawat Pilipino. Layunin ko na tiyakin na may sapat at masustansyang pagkain na mabibili ng ating mga kababayan sa tamang halaga," Laurel said, adding that he will continue Marcos' plans and programs for the agriculture sector.

Marcos has held the position of DA secretary since he assumed the presidency last year. During his term, rice peaked at the price of P60 per kilo and experienced several agricultural price increases nationwide.