President Rodrigo Duterte’s appointment of William Dar as Agriculture secretary is one of the highlights of 2019, according to Oceana.
Oceana vice president Gloria Estenzo Ramos said the Commission on Appointments’ swift confirmation of Dar as DA secretary reveals the high regard for his leadership, expertise and integrity in steering the country towards the goal of food security.
Oceana said it was supporting the department’s thrust towards restoring the abundance of oceans, and thereby helping coastal communities attain sustainable livelihood for their families.
Oceana expressed high hopes that Dar’s leadership under the “New Thinking for Agriculture” will bring about long-term benefits to artisanal fisherfolk who are among the poorest of the poor and the most marginalized in Philippine society.
Oceana also welcomed the creation of a separate Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to institutionalize science-based methodologies in the 12 fisheries management areas, being among the key proposals at the recent Sulong Pilipinas 2019 Agribusiness Summit.