By Junex Doronio
Describing the appointment of fishing magnate Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the new head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) as a “breakthrough” for the country’s fisheries, former Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol expressed his anticipation of a revitalized agriculture sector.
Laurel’s appointment came after more than a year during which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. served as the agriculture chief.
“Congratulations!” Piñol posted on Facebook on November 3.
On Friday, PBBM finally handed over the reins of the DA to Laurel, the owner of Frabelle Fishing Corp, who reportedly donated P30 million to Marcos Jr.’s 2022 presidential campaign.
Piñol stated, “His appointment is a significant step forward for the Fisheries Sector, which had long been neglected.”
According to a Rappler report, Laurel serves as the president of Frabelle Fishing Corporation, a seafood production company that was first established in 1966.
Frabelle boasts “a fleet of over 100 vessels and a growing workforce of 5,000” on its website. It is recognized as a go-to source for fresh, frozen, and processed seafood, with a market that extends to Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the United States.
“I am ready to listen and work with all of you,” said Laurel during a press conference.
“Above all, I am committed to working for you,” Laurel pledged to the agricultural sector.
(ai/mnm)