NFA, PCA gets new administrators

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MANILA — The National Food Authority (NFA) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) have elected their respective new administrators.

Arthur Juan, who was appointed by President Benigno S. Aquino III as new NFA Council member, was elected administrator by the NFA Council Monday.

Meanwhile, Romulo Arancon Jr. was elected as PCA administrator Tuesday by the agency’s Governing Board following the President’s nomination.

The two officials immediately assumed office upon their respective elections.

Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization (PAFASM) Sec. Francis Pangilinan, whose office oversees both the PCA and the NFA, said the newly-elected officials would be of great help to their respective agencies due to their vast managerial experience and expertise.

Prior to his appointment, Juan was president of San Miguel Foods, Inc. from 2005-2009 and president of Monterey Foods Corporation from 1999-2003.

In general, Juan worked in the private sector both here and abroad with focus on the agro-industrial side for almost 20 years.

“His experience and expertise having run a national food conglomerate will be a great help in ensuring that NFA is managed efficiently and effectively,“ Pangilinan said.

On the other hand, Arancon brings with him more than three decades of experience in the coconut industry.

He has worked in different capacities as part of the PCA for a total of 17 years since 1980, including his terms as Extension Training Center Director and Acting Regional Director for PCA-Region XI.

Arancon is also a stalwart of coconut development work in the Asia Pacific region, having served as the executive director of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) from 2006 until 2014.

The APCC is an inter-governmental body organized in 1969 under the aegis of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) with headquarters based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The APCC is composed of 18 coconut-growing countries in Asia and the Pacific region.

“Arancon has been with PCA for many years now and he is undeniably fit for the position. He will be able to manage the agency very well, as he is very familiar with the workings in the coconut industry,” Pangilinan said.

The appointment of Juan and Arancon followed the recommendation of the search committee created by Pangilinan upon his assumption into office.

It is comprised of Dr. Cielito Habito, former socio-economic planning secretary and director-general of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA); former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani; Dr. Rolando Dy, executive director of the Center for Food and Agribusiness and former dean of the School of Management at the University of Asia and the Pacific; and Dr. Fiorello Estuar, vice-chairman and chief executive officer of First Balfour.