This post is in response to queries on why I keep on hammering now that the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI), a GOCC under the National Food Authority, when, as Secretary of Agriculture, I had the chance to do it.

The NFA-FTI was actually under the Office of the President starting from the Presidency of the late Benigno Aquino III until Sept. 2018 and was transferred back to the Dept of Agriculture only after the staged "Rice Crisis."

It was only then when I was able to gain full authority over the FTI.

The work to revive the FTI was started Jan.2019 but it ended when I resigned from the DA in June 2019.

My advocacy to establish a national marketing system for our agri and aqua products, however, continued even as I have returned to the private sector.

I believe the revival of FTI will address Food Inflation by connecting producers and consumers directly.

#GovernanceIsCommonSense!