BIZ BUZZ: DA unfazed by delays
It’s been delay upon delay but the Department of Agriculture (DA) remains committed to finishing the construction of the country’s first border facility by June this year.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that a failed bidding stalled the development of the cold examination facility in agriculture (Cefa) in Angat, Bulacan, which was initially targeted to be completed by early 2025.
“The problem with Cefa is a failed bidding last December,” Tiu Laurel said. “But definitely, we will try to finish everything by hopefully first half.”
Equipped with state-of-the-art testing laboratories, the Cefa is a sanitary/phytosanitary inspection facility designed to thoroughly inspect imported animals, fish, plants and other agricultural products.
Having such a facility is expected to strengthen the country’s capability to conduct first border inspections to help keep animal diseases at bay and ensure that imported agricultural commodities are safe for human consumption.
But because of the setback last December, a portion of the budget for the Cefa facility in Bulacan was reverted to the government.
The DA is still keen on building the Cefa in Angat but Tiu Laurel said the completion schedule has to be moved back since they have to again go through the bidding process.
The question is … Will the DA finally be able to clear the roadblocks and have its first Cefa, which has been in the agency’s pipeline for years?
Let’s see if Tiu Laurel will have enough resolve, grit and determination to see it through.