October 31, 2006

Former Philippine Agri Secretary returns to department

Arthur Yap, the former Philippine Agriculture Secretary, has returned to lead the country's agriculture department.

Yap, who was reinstated by President Gloria Arroyo on Oct 25, replaces Domingo Panganiban, who will head the National Anti Poverty Commission as chairman.

Since his return to office, local media have questioned his credibility for the role, with The Philippine Star daily postulating that Yap's return was more of a "political move" for the elections next year.

Yap has forcibly resigned as agriculture chief in 2004 after his family was involved in a tax scam. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, a local group of militant farmers, pointed to Yap as being behind a US$14.59-million fertiliser fund scam.

He has also been accused of being involved in the illegal importation of rice worth US$70.18 million from India in 2002.

On the other hand, the Agriculture Sector Alliance of the Philippines (ASAP) expressed confidence in Yap's return to the department.

ASAP president Nicanor Briones said the new secretary should be challenged with the issues hounding the industry, such as the rampant smuggling of pork, chicken and vegetables. Hog raisers is estimated to incur a loss of P2 billion (US$40.10 billion) due to smuggled and cheaper pork from China.

During his term, Yap initiated the "pork in a box" project to jumpstart quality pork exports and to ward off smuggled pork with its inexpensive price but of superior grade.

Now ex-agriculture secretary, Domingo Panganiban, was touted as the perfect choice to helm the agriculture office because he himself is a farmer. His reputation, well-known in the global farming community, has not been tainted by any scandal in the previous administrations which he served.

Yap said he will continue Panganiban's programs and will focus on postharvest facilities to improve the country's export capacity.