By Kenneth Marcos 
The morning sun shone over the National Food Authority (NFA) headquarters as new and recently promoted employees raised their right hands in oath, marking a fresh chapter in the agency’s service to the public.
Leading the ceremony, NFA Administrator Larry R. Lacson welcomed the staff and congratulated them on their appointments. Among those sworn in were Ivy Joy Romero as Administrative Assistant, Julienne Kyle Quirino and Hanna Marie Marteja as Accounts Analysts, Laurian Grace Pasco as Accountant 1, Garizaldy Bontile as SGOO, John Kevin L. Tayag, Elizabeth Villareal, and Gilbert M. Carios as Internal Auditors, and Richelle-An P. Esquilona as Planning Officer 3.
In his message, Administrator Lacson emphasized the significance of filling vacant positions across the agency. He noted that promotions and new hires would be accelerated to strengthen NFA’s operations nationwide. Since the agency’s restructuring in 2019 under Republic Act 11203, the focus has been on making staffing processes faster and more efficient.
“Our goal is clear: fair and efficient service so that rice—our most essential commodity—is always available for every Filipino,” Lacson said. He encouraged the new employees to carry out their duties with integrity, commitment, and accountability, highlighting the agency’s motto: “Sa Serbisyong Patas at Tapat, Bigas ay Laging Dekalidad.”
The oath-taking reflects NFA’s continuing efforts to provide reliable support to farmers, traders, and consumers. By strengthening its workforce, the agency aims to ensure smoother operations in rice procurement, distribution, and price stabilization, especially amid challenges such as supply fluctuations and climate-related impacts on agriculture.
For the employees, the ceremony was both a personal milestone and a reminder of their responsibility to the public. Administrator Lacson urged them to approach their roles with dedication, knowing that their work directly affects the food security of millions of Filipinos.
With new talent and promotions in place, NFA is set to move forward with a renewed commitment to service, efficiency, and transparency, aiming to keep the country’s rice supply steady and affordable.
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