No offer to head DA-Balisacan
By Nidz Godino
"No such offer," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told media in text message when asked if he was being recruited as secretary of tDepartment of Agriculture (DA) has doused speculation he is being tapped to replace President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as secretary of agriculture.
There have been speculative reports in recent days that Balisacan, agricultural economist, was being eyed to take over from FMJ as DA chief.
As head of National Economic and Development Authority, Balisacan is part of government's team of economic managers.
Head of team, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, described as "sound proposal" appointment of Balisacan to top DA post.
Diokno had revealed economic team was "shocked" and was not consulted on imposition of price caps on rice at P41 per kilo for regular milled and P45 for well-milled.
Diokno and another member of team, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, issued statements declaring support for price caps within short period.
Shortly before measure went into effect, Balisacan had told media price ceilings would be lifted based on food inflation trend. He also said government was studying reduction of rice tariffs to stabilize prices.
Department of Trade and Industry said price caps would be reviewed after two weeks, amid complaints from rice retailers about massive losses and consumers' complaints about disappearance of regular and well-milled rice varieties.
Food inflation has driven record-high inflation in first year of Marcos administration, with price surges and supply problems recorded in agricultural commodities including onions, white refined sugar, rice, eggs, chicken and large potatoes.
Amid calls for FMJ to relinquish DA post, he has said there have been no takers. Among persons mentioned as possible DA secretary is former senator Mar Roxas, relative by affinity of FMJ.
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