Pro-production Laurel  bats for accurate agri data

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The newly appointed secretary of  the Department of Agriculture (DA) vows to restore the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) to improve the accuracy of data in the sector.

LAUREL

“Our data is not so accurate — I’m not blaming anyone on this but one of the major things I want to start is (to) bring back Bureau of Agricultural Statistics so we will have accurate data. I am not pro-importation, I am pro-production,” said Francisco Laurel Jr., in a briefing in Quezon City yesterday.

“I am a producer in my past life. While I import, I produce a lot more, I believe Filipinos can produce more but then, we have to import when it is really needed. But if we need to have the right balance, we have to have the right data to manage it properly,” Laurel added.

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DA said the right data will greatly help the government’s efforts to boost local production.

Arnel de Mesa, DA assistant secretary for operations, said in a separate interview yesterday   the function of BAS is devolved to local government units (LGUs).

De Mesa added the DA’s data on agriculture is sourced from a multiple sources:  LGUs, regional field offices, the Philippine Statistics Authority as well as from institutional stakeholders.

In 2013, BAS was merged with the National Statistics Office, together with the National Statistical Coordination Board and the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics into the Philippine Statistics Authority through the Philippine Statistical Act.

BAS was first created under Executive Order 116 signed by former President Corazon Aquino in 1987 and mandated to collect, compile, analyze and disseminate fishery statistics in addition to crops, livestock and poultry.

Apart from the restoration of the BAS, Laurel said he is also keen on tapping experts  from the private sector at the beginning of his term

“As for the current team, I plan to work with the current team and then assess. It will depend on their performance. If the current team performs, then good. If they don’t perform, then sorry,” Laurel said.

 

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