Alcala

In a recent media interview, Secretary Pangilinan was asked  to explain his most pressing goals upon taking over the four most important agencies of the Department of Agriculture. His answer was that he was mandated ‘to cleanse the agencies...the situation.”

When he used the term ”cleanse,” I do not think Pangilinan meant he had to hire a new janitorial service group to make the offices neat and remove physical dirt. I do not think he meant that he had to clean the toilets and the office premises in the Department of Agriculture and its agencies.

I do not think it needs any imagination or  deep knowledge of the English language to understand what Pangilinan meant when he said that he had to “cleanse” the agencies. But the more important fact is that if the instruction was to “cleanse” it meant that these agencies were “dirty” before and that whoever was in charge could not be trusted to “cleanse” them. There was a need to bring in somebody new who had the capability and the integrity to do what needs to be done.

 Pangilinan said that the NFA and the BIR was cooperating to stop rice smuggling. Now we hear that the President has ordered the Department of Justice , through the National Bureau of Investigation, to look into reported hoarding, profiteering and cartel-like activities. According to Secretary Coloma: “The directive came after it was determined that there is sufficient supply of rice, garlic and other basic food items.”

After FOUR years under  Alcala, the Agriculture Department has failed in its mission to “produce enough  accessible and affordable food for every Filipino.” After FOUR years, the rice cartels continue to operate with seeming impunity. After FOUR years, rice smugglers have now been joined by garlic smugglers.

After FOUR years, the agencies tasked to fulfil the most vital goals of the Department of Agriculture have been removed from the Department and placed in the office of the President and placed under new leadership.

In a letter to the Philippine STAR, Alcala wrote: “ The NFA reform agenda has been submitted to the economic managers. Decisions need to be made. Likewise, some of us need to examine ourselves whether we have also given more weight to the claims of some groups without validating with those at the frontlines battling to set our system on the right path.... I regret that you take off from the assumption that the NFA is corrupt (referring to an earlier column of mine). While I cannot guarantee that it is now 100% corruption free, I need you to know that over the last 17 months, the NFA has had the least graft ridden operation in many, many years. We welcome the help of Sec. Pangilinan and wish the NFA reform agenda will finally be acted upon.”

First, I cannot help but wonder what this reform agenda is and why the economic managers – the heads of Finance, Budget, NEDA, Trade – are delaying its approval. It seems that Secretary Alcala believes the NFA cannot be reformed without his proposals being approved.

Second, The existence of rice cartels, rice smugglers and the existence of corruption in the NFA did not come from “the claims of some groups” without validation. It came from the Office of the President and the new Food Security head.

Third, the claim is the NFA is cleaner than in the past may be true. But if the standard is that the NFA should be cleaner than in the days of Arthur Yap, the NFA head during the days of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is this not an absurdly, extremely low standard for integrity ? In fact, is this even a standard for the goal of a corrupt-free government agency?

Fourth, is the story of the progress (or lack of progress) in irrigation, a critical factor in food production in this country.  Secretary Alcala has said that he has fulfilled 81% of the irrigation targets. I remember last year, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Irrigation Authority, the President publicly expressed his disappointment and publicly criticized then NIA Administrator for the agency’s failure to meet its targets.

The President said the NIA was able to attain only 66% of its targets. A week later, Nangel was replaced with Claro Maranan. During the 51st anniversary rites of the NIA, Maranan, claims the agency has met 72.54% of its target. I leave it to the leadership of the Agricuture Department who we are to believe.  By the way, under the new head, two of the agencies – NFA and PhilCoa – had the decency to resign and were replaced. NIA Administrator Maranan refused to submit a courtesy resignation saying it was “inappropriate.” Perhaps, he was worried his resignation would be accepted. Obviously, he  believes he is entitled to his position.

Fifth, the Department of Agriculture first became aware of the existence of the insect causing the coconut infestation in 2009. Three years later, in 2012, samples of the results of the coconut infestation were already being gathered in Batangas. But it was only a few weeks ago after a million trees or so were infested that finally an emergency measure was declared by the Office of the President and Pangilinan started a drastic program of containing the spread of the infestation.

Of course, there are all kinds of stories and rumors detailing the motivation for the absolutely slow reaction of the Department of Agriculture. But even without these stories, the mere fact that the DA did not immediately take preventive measures and waited for the problem to become serious is enough ground for terminating those responsible for the inaction at the Department.

Finally, when the Presidential spokesmen have to be the one to explain to the public the reason for the increase in the prices of garlic, there is either the absolute lack of credibility in the leadership of the Department of Agriculture or, no confidence that the DA or the NGAT (National Garlic Action Team) has the competence to deal with the issue.

It is my belief that it is not the task of the President, or his spokesmen, to defend any Cabinet member or government official. It is the other way around. It is the responsibility of Cabinet members to defend the President especially if the issue falls within the area of responsibility of the Cabinet member.

When a Cabinet member becomes a liability – because of corruption, incompetence or lack of credibility – he or she is damaging the public trust standing of the President, it is time for the Cabinet member to go. When a Cabinet member becomes an obstacle to the President’s realization of his vision for the Filipino people, it is time for the Cabinet member to go.

It is time for Alcala to go.

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