Following my public disagreements with the administration’s Economic Managers on several issues, especially my opposition to the unimpeded Rice Importation, I resigned as Agriculture Secretary on June 26, 2019.
It took President Rodrigo Duterte 41 days to choose my replacement and I moved to the Mindanao Development Authority on Aug. 5, 2019.
The Chairmanship of MinDA which has the rank of Cabinet Secretary has a fixed term of six years ending Aug. 5, 2025.
This means that I will outlast the other members of the Cabinet whose terms of service end on June 30, 2022.
Am I happy where I am and with what I am doing now?
Absolutely!
While MinDA is a tiny agency, I love the things that we do to develop Mindanao even with just crumbs for budget.
I am able to pursue my advocacies without anybody breathing down my neck as I work.
While MinDA has a budget of less than P200-M, I inherited a working staff whose experiences in community work and socio-economic development planning span decades.
I also brought with me a handful of loyal workers from my days as Governor and Agriculture Secretary.
We work as a team and even with the COVID 19 restrictions, we continue to move around.
The only moment I feel sad is when I receive pleadings for help from people outside of Mindanao and there is simply nothing that I could do.
But I am a soldier.
I do not choose the wars or the battlefields.
Right now, the battle focuses on improving productivity, addressing poverty and sustaining the gains in peace building in Mindanao.
I have four more years to achieve the goals but this early, I could smell victory.
#DedicatedToServe!
More Stories
Trump Presidency Boon To Philippine Agriculture
Mindanao Fruit Fest Scheduled Sept. 2025
DA, MinDA, LGU! MinDA Targets Tribal Areas For Highland Rice Farming