Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. continued to fill positions in the team that will help him pursue President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s marching orders to modernize the farm sector, increase food production, and improve the lives of millions of Filipino farmers and fishermen.

On Monday, Secretary Tiu Laurel designated Jerome Oliveros as Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for Official Development Assistance-Foreign Aid/Grants. As undersecretary for special concerns, Oliveros shall oversee the development and implementation of agricultural policies and projects aimed at improving the quality of life of disadvantaged and cultural community groups, children, youth, persons with disability, senior citizens and elderly.

Oliveros, the former City administrator of Bacoor, Cavite, shall lead the identification and coordination of project proposals for possible grants/aid from Official Development Assistance or institutional donors and potential partners as part of his role as undersecretary for ODA-foreign aid/grants.

Earlier, Secretary Tiu Laurel named Drusila Esther Bayate, undersecretary for fisheries and for policy, planning and regulation, as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Secretary during his official travel to Vietnam on Jan. 28-31.

Earlier appointments include the designation of Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa as DA spokesman; Project Development Officer IV Alvin Paul Dirain as deputy program director of the DA-National Livestock Program; Angelita Martir as officer-in-charge, national deputy project director of the Philippine Rural Development Project-National Project Coordinator Office; Agricultural Center Chief II Mario Ruinata as officer-in-charge, regional director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Regional Office No. 4 and; Planning Officer V Joseph Manicad as officer-in-charge, director, Planning and Monitoring Service. ###