MY DEAR CONGRESSMEN:

Several Congressmen today called for my resignation because of the Rice Supply and Rice Bukbok issues involving the National Food Authority.

Perhaps, our dear legislators do not realize that the NFA is NOT under the Department of Agriculture.

The reason why I figured prominently in the raging rice supply and price issue was because I volunteered to help resolve the problem since nobody in government was on top of the situation.

When the “rice crisis “ in the ZAMBASULTA Area broke out, I called up Exec. Secretary on a rainy morning of Aug. 13 and volunteered to fly to Zamboanga City to assess the situation.

As of last Friday, the ZAMBASULTA Rice Crisis was resolved.

They will have rice supplies good for six months as the NFA Council approved my recommendations for additional stocks.

Tumutulong lang po ako at pinakialaman ko na maski hindi ko trabaho.

Why blame me for the Rice Bukbok issue?

The DA has nothing to do with rice importation.

The DA is only involved in production and records will show that in 2017, the harvest was a historic high of 19.28-million metric tons, higher by 1.6-million metric tons than the 2016 production.

In spite of the recent storms, rice production this year is still expected to be another historic high at 19.4-million metric tons.

We are now 93% self sufficient and we project to hit 95% self sufficiency by 2019.

On the issue of Galunggong importation, I take full responsibility because BFAR is under the DA.

Given a chance to explain, I believe the legislators will understand the program.

On their call for my resignation because of these issues, my response would be: I serve at the pleasure of the President.

If the President says he is not happy with my performance, I would gladly pack up my bags and go home to my farm.

My only consolation would be that I am not facing issues of corruption.