Panganiban cites agri journalists, inducts new PAJ officers

Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban paid tribute to the country’s agricultural journalists, citing their very important role in agriculture and rural development.

Panganiban was the guest of honor during the 29th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) held Friday night at the Aberdeen Court, Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City.

Panganiban also inducted the new officers of PAJ who will have a term of two years.

The new PAJ officers are led by Sanny Galvez of Manila Bulletin as president, replacing Roman Floresca, assistant business editor and agriculture editor of the Philippine STAR who will remain in the roster of PAJ officers as immediate past president. Galvez previously held the same post four times, from 1978 to 1980, and from 1984 to 1986.

The other elected PAJ officers are: Vice-president (internal) — Matilde Maunahan, of UP Los Baños Post Harvest Horticulture Training and Research Center; vice-president (external) — Christine Gaylican, Phil. Daily Inquirer; secretary — Ruby Lumongsod, Quedancor; treasurer — Inez Magbual, Deparment of Agriculture (DA); auditor — Thelma Tolentino, Phil. Coconut Authority (PCA); business manager — Grace Anayron, SEARCA Fellows Association of the Phils.; PRO — Johnny Goloyugo, International Rice Research Institute; Directors — Noel Reyes (DA), Rudy Fernandez (Phil. STAR), Mike Alunan (freelance), Ed Munsayac (COCAFM-Senate), Fermin Diaz (LAMB Magazine), Betsy Ison, (Philippines News Agency), and Roderick dela Cruz (Standard Today).

The elections were held during the PAJ 29th annual convention and general membership meeting, attended by 80 members, Friday morning, at the PCA auditorium, with PCA Administrator Jesus Emmanuel Paras as guest speaker.

PAJ is composed of agricultural journalists from print and broadcast media, as well as public and media affairs staff from government and private agencies, and agri-fishery, and food processing industry associations. It was founded in 1976, and affiliated with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and the Asian Agricultural Journalists and Writers Association (AAJWA).

One of its major projects is the conduct of Binhi Awards, a yearly contest among print and broadcast journalists in agriculture, environment and agrarian reform.

In his speech during the induction ceremonies, Panganiban said agricultural journalists are among the government’s most potent partners in its task of attaining sustained agricultural development.

Also present during the event were former Food Minister and National Food Authority Administrator Jesus T. Tanchanco; incumbent NFA Administrator NFAGregorio Tan, Quedancor president and CEO Nelson Buenaflor and National Press Club president Antonio Antonio.