Yap raps Valbuena on PCA leadership issue

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap rapped yesterday Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Evangeline Valbuena for insinuating that talks of a possible change in the agency’s leadership were linked to his alleged support for a large agricultural project in Agusan del Sur.

Unconfirmed reports stated yesterday that Malacañang has ousted Valbuena from her post.

In a statement, Yap said Valbuena misled the media by declaring that her possible replacement was tied to her disapproval of the P8-billion Agusan Reserve Area Development Project (ARADP) which she said was being pushed by Yap.

"That is completely false. We are not pushing for this project. I am not even inclined to make any recommendation because this is a major project and the PCA has yet to complete the necessary staffwork for its proper evaluation," said Yap.

He denied exerting undue pressure on anybody as far as ARADP is concerned, Yap said he directed Valbuena on various occasions to coordinate with all sectors involved, including the local government heads and the Coconut Industry Investment Fund (CIIF).

Yap said he directed the DA and the PCA to fasttrack the formulation and implementation of the nationwide coconut replanting program, considering that more than 15 percent of 320 million coconut stands are senile and unproductive.