Following the dismissal of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Demosthenes Escoto, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the appointment of Isidro Velayo Jr. as BFAR officer-in-charge (OIC) effective Wednesday.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized the need to ensure operational continuity amid the internal change in leadership.
“OIC Isidro Velayo is a career professional and respected official of BFAR. My marching order to him is to ensure that operations of the agency will not be affected by this legal development,” Laurel said.
The Ombudsman dismissed Escoto on charges of grave misconduct after an investigation revealed alleged irregularities in BFAR’s procurement of communication equipment.
While Escoto was found guilty of graft, he can still appeal the decision through reconsideration or by taking the case directly to the Court of Appeals.
Velayo previously served as the national coordinator for BFAR’s seaweed program and held the position of regional director for the Zamboanga Peninsula.