Senior DA official named NFA OIC

A senior official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) was appointed as the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the National Food Authority (NFA).

Larry Lacson, DA Director IV, was named the NFA OIC following the approval of the National Food Authority Council, led by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

“The NFA Council has unanimously appointed Director Larry Lacson as OIC-Administrator to make sure the operations of the agency runs smoothly, especially during this harvest season,” said Laurel Jr.

“The NFA is an integral part of our effort to ensure the country’s food security,”  the Agriculture Secretary added.

Lacson is a member of the Philippine Food Expo Inc. (PhilFoodex). Prior to his appointment, he was the co-chairman of the agriculture and fisheries committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

He previously served as the former director of the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Earlier this month, the Ombudsman suspended 139 NFA officials and personnel — including administrator Roderico Bioco and assistant administrator for operations John Robert Hermano — as part of its investigation into the supposed “disadvantageous” sale of rice buffer stocks to selected traders.

The suspension took effect on March 4, 2024 and will last for 90 days.

Some of the concerned NFA officials and personnel have appealed their suspension. 

The anti-graft court  lifted the suspension order on more than 20 involved NFA personnel on Friday.—RF, GMA Integrated News