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Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Yap takes over agriculture post (4:36 p.m.)
MANILA -- Incoming Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap would hold dialogues with his critics as he assumes the agriculture portfolio Wednesday.
Yap said his office is also open to officials and members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) who want to sit down and talk.
The KMP has expressed apprehension that Yap would be used by the Arroyo government in order to get votes for the administration in the May 2007 elections, in the same way that former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-joc" Bolante was accused of allegedly diverting millions of pesos in fertilizer funds to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's campaign in the 2004 elections.
Bolante allegedly spearheaded the P728 million fertilizer fund irregularity.
Yap said his enthusiasm in transferring to the Department of Agriculture (DA) is being tempered by criticisms and complaints. He said he will remain as champion of the North Luzon Agricultural Quadrangle super region because it is also agriculture-based.
He urged his critics to give him a chance, saying that it would not be his first time at the DA and that he had good relations with stakeholders there.
Yap said he will concentrate on hard infrastructure, technology, post-harvest programs and micro-finance programs, and leave the private sector to finance the seeds and fertilizers. (JMR/Sunnex) |
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