Alcala lauds courtesy resignation of NFA, PCA heads

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala with a local. Photo courtesy of Alcala’s Facebook page.

MANILA (PNA) — Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala on Monday lauded the heads of two top DA officials for tendering their courtesy resignations to President Benigno S. Aquino III and described their actions as a “most respectable and honorable thing to do.”

National Food Authority (NFA) Administrator Orlan Calayag and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Euclides Forbes have submitted their respective resignation letters last week to allow newly-appointed Presidential Assistant on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan “greater latitude in performing his (Pangilinan) mandate.”

“By submitting their courtesy resignations, they are giving Secretary Pangilinan a free-hand to re-organize the two agencies as he sees fit and appoint whoever he sees as able replacements to Administrators Calayag and Forbes,” Alcala said.

He added that the two agency heads should not just stop at thanking the President for giving them the opportunity to lead their respective agencies.

“I am also urging them to submit their respective accomplishment reports to show their major achievements during their tenure and show that they are transparent,” he said.

Though he could vouch on the accomplishments of Calayag and Forbes, Alcala said it is better if President Aquino personally assessed their achievements.

“Dapat ay ipakita nila sa ating Pangulo na dumating at aalis sila na may pagbabagong maganda sa kanilang mga kagawaran sa ilalim ng kanilang panunungkulan,” he said.

“I know for a fact that the NFA and the PCA have seen major successes during their terms. But by submitting a formal report, President Aquino himself could evaluate their respective performances as agency heads,” he added.