NFA and PCA boards elect new administrators

Pia Ranada

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The new National Food Authority chief is former president of San Miguel Foods Inc while the new Philippine Coconut Authority head is a coconut industry veteran

MANILA, Philippines – A former president of a major food company and a coconut industry expert have been named the new administrators of the National Food Authority (NFA) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), respectively.

Arthur Juan, who assumed his post as new NFA chief on Monday, June 23, was president of Monterey Foods Corporation and then of San Miguel Foods Inc, the food division of San Miguel Corporation, prior to his appointment.

He has 20 years of experience in the private sector with focus on the agro-industrial side. 

“His experience and expertise having run a national food conglomerate will be a great help in ensuring that NFA is managed efficiently and effectively, “ said Secretary Francis Pangilinan, Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

Juan was first appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as a member of the NFA Council. On Monday, the NFA Council elected him as administrator.

‘Stalwart of coconut development’

Romulo Arancon Jr assumed his post as PCA administrator on Tuesday, June 24, immediately after being elected by the PCA Board.

He has more than 3 decades of experience in the coconut industry. A PCA veteran, he has served the agency for 17 years since 1980. During this time, he worked as the PCA Extension Training Center Director and Region Director for Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula).

The statement from Pangilinan’s office calls him a “stalwart of coconut development work in the Asia Pacific region.”

From 2006 to 2014, Arancon was Executive Director of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), an inter-governmental body under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. It is composed of 18 coconut-growing countries in Asia and the Pacific.

 “Arancon has been with PCA for many years now and he is undeniably fit for the position. He will be able to manage the agency very well, as he is very familiar with the workings in the coconut industry.” said Pangilinan.

The appointment of Juan and Arancon is consistent with the recommendation of the search committee formed by Pangilinan immediately after he himself was appointed into his position last May.

The committee is composed of former National Economic and Development Authority Director-General Cielito Habito, former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Senen Bacani, Center for Food and Agribusiness Executive Director Rolando Dy and Fiorello Estuar, chief executive officer of construction firm First Balfour. 

Newly-vacated posts

The new administrators assumed posts vacated by Orlan Calayag and Euclides Forbes, NFA and PCA administrators appointed by DA Secretary Proceso Alcala.

The two made courtesy resignations days after Pangilinan was appointed as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization.

Executive Order 165, dated May 5, 2014, transferred the NFA, PCA, National Irrigation Administration, and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority from the supervision of the DA to the Office of the President.

A memorandum order gave Pangilinan, as Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization, oversight functions over the 4 agencies.

The NFA’s mandate is to ensure the country’s food security, and the stability of supply and price of rice and other agricultural commodities.

The PCA is in charge of developing the country’s billion-peso coconut and palm oil industry and enhance the capacities of Filipino coconut farmers. – Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.