Philfoodex to fete Montemayor

Newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor will be honored with a testimonial dinner by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex) at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27, at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni on Ramon Magsaysay Ave., UP Campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

Earlier, Philfoodex, through its president, Jesus T. Tanchanco Sr., hailed the appointment of Montemayor as secretary of agriculture.

"This is the first time," Tanchanco said, "that a secretary of agriculture comes from the farmers‘ sector. We have high hopes that he will succeed in his task in bringing about positive changes in our agriculture industry which is the sole engine in our economic growth."

Invited to the Tuesday night affair, which will have a "Pista sa Nayon" motif, are leaders of farmers’ groups, trade, food and agriculture associations, as well as members of the academe, non-government organizations (NGOs) and heads of agencies involved in agriculture.

A special feature of the fellowship dinner will be a display of various products of Philfoodex members. They include assorted fruit preserves, dried fruits, fish, biscuits, chocolates, fish sauces and condiments, noodles and many other food items for export.

Philfoodex is considered the country’s biggest organization of food producers and exporters with over 200 member-companies nationwide.

Philfoodex’s officers are Edward F. David, chairman; Tanchanco, president; Velia J. Cruz and Vincent Lopez III, vice presidents for internal and external affairs,, respectively; Divina G. Sonido, treasurer; and Bernardino B. Martinez, secretary; and Pete C. Borja, Joaquin Corral, Manuel C. Kiok, Jonathan Godoy, Neil Bebing, John C. Kaw, Manny Macainag, Ruben See and Emmanuel Torrejon, directors.