The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) officially welcomed its new Executive Director, former Bicol Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) Chairperson Bernadette “BidiBidi” De Los Santos, after her oath-taking ceremony presided over by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, Jr. on April 28, 2025.

Immediately following her oath, Director BidiBidi met with the agency’s Section and Division Chiefs to learn how everyone works and gain firsthand insights into each operating unit’s internal operations.

“As the newly installed Executive Director of PCAF, my immediate plans would include knowing the agency itself, because this is the first time I am holding a government agency. Today’s meeting with the PCAF divisions was enlightening for me. I also greatly appreciate their willingness to guide me through the agency’s processes,” said Exec. Dir. De Los Santos.

She also mentioned that PCAF, the participatory arm of the Department of Agriculture, will be an instrument for her to serve more communities because it is a venue for farmers to be heard and a venue for issues to be dealt with.

“I know what the AFCs need. I think one of my plans is to go about and go around, and try to influence the regional offices to be more supportive of our AFCs in their particular regions,” she added.

She further mentioned that she is keen to know more about the National Sectoral Committees, their respective chairpersons, and issues and concerns at the national level. | Jezebel Campaniel