DA Chief Inducts Agri Journalists

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala (left) swears into office the 2014-2016 officers of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) led by Roman F. Floresca, Business Editor of the Philippine Star, who serves his sixth term as President, at the DA Central Office in Quezon City on March 31, 2014. 

Organized in September 1976, the PAJ is composed of editors, reporters, correspondents and government and private sector information officers, covering and serving the fields of agriculture, environment and natural resources, agrarian reform, food and agribusiness sectors. 

Shown (from left) are: Noel Reyes (PLOUGHSHARES, Inc.), Vice President for Internal Affairs; Inez Magbual (Best Media Source Corp.), Treasurer; Thelma Tolentino (Philippine Coconut Authority), Auditor; Ray Eñano (business editor, Manila Standard Today), PRO for Print Media; Cora Abio (National Food Authority), Director; Melba Wee (DA Region 9), Director; Aileen Garcia (Int’l. Rice Research Institute), Director; Rolando Gonzalo (UNTV and DWIZ), PRO for Broadcast; Dr. Rex Navarro (CGIAR), Director; and Francisco de Guzman (Opinyon), Director. 

The other PAJ officers not shown are Matilde Maunahan (UPLB), vice president for external affairs; Ma Ruby Lumongsod (QUEDANCOR), Secretary; Love Gado (PhilRice), Assistant Secretary; Melody Aguiba (Manila Bulletin), Director; and Lyn Resurreccion (science and technology editor, Business Mirror), Director.

PAJ 2014 General Assembly cum Election

Some 53 old and new members from the mainstream media, information units of various government agricultural agencies, agricultural writers and faculty members from agricultural colleges and universities attended the Philippine Agricultural Journalists Inc. 2014 General Assembly & Elections at the PCA Auditorium in Quezon City last February 21.  

 During the assembly proper, PAJ Internal Vice President Noel Reyes gave a brief update on PAJ activities while PAJ Treasurer Inez Magbual reported on the financial status of the organization. Ms. Magbual thanked External VP Matilde Maunahan for reviving the PAJ Membership to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) and Secretary Ma Ruby Lumongsod for renewing the SEC Registration. The financial report of Ms. Magbual showed that the PAJ still has a fund balance of  P59,198.62 in cash and in bank.

An inspirational message was then given by Development Catalyst Rex Navarro after which the Nomination of Candidates for the Election of Officers immediately followed after a short snack break.

 
 After the members casted their votes, COMELEC Chair Atty. Marlon Terrado counted the votes and announced  the following results:

The top 16 which will serve as the Executive Officers and Board of Directors for the year 2014 -2016 were Rex Navarro, Noel Reyes, Inez Magbual, Roman Floresca, Ma Ruby Lumongsod, Maria Melba Week, Matilde Maunahan, Thelma Tolentino, Love Gado, Corazon Abio, Francis de Guzman,Melody Aguiba, Aileen Garcia, Rolly Gonzalo,  Lyn Resurreccion and Ray Eñano.

 Ranked 17^th – 23^rd candidates were: Marilou Lumanta, Cheryl Coloma, Fermin Diaz, Melly Tenorio, Divine Reyes, Marlo Asis, and Delfin Perez were enlisted as Alternate Directors who will sit in the Board in the event that an elected Director resigned or became incapacitated to render service as PAJ Director due to whatever cause.

The top 16 Directors had their election of officers among themselves. The 2014-2016 Executive Officers are the following:

President:                        Roman F. Floresca (Philippine Star)

VP for Internal Affairs:     Noel O. Reyes (PLOUGHSHARES, INC)

VP for External Affairs:    Matilde de Villa Maunahan  (PHTCR, UPLB)

Secretary:                       Ma Ruby G. Lumongsod  (QUEDANCOR)

Assistant Secretary:        Charisma Love B. Gado  (PhilRice)

Treasurer:                      Inez G. Magbual (Best Media Source Corporation)

Auditor:                         Thelma M. Tolentino (Philippine Coconut Authority)

PRO for Print Media:       Ray S. Eñano   (Manila Standard Today)

PRO for Broadcast:         Rolando B. Gonzalo (UNTV/DWIZ)

Directors:

Rex L. Navarro (CGIAR-CCAFS-SEA)

Maria Melba B. Wee (DA – Zamboanga)

Corazon L. Abio (National Food Authority)

Francisco B. de Guzman (Opinyon)

Melody M. Aguiba (Manila Bulletin)

Ma. Aileen A. Garcia (International Rice Research Institute)

Angelina B. Resurreccion (Business Mirror)