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He may have resigned because of delicadeza, but to the tobacco farmers he is hero. Continue below.

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The tobacco farmers in the Ilocos Region have expressed their collective gratitude to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap for his programs and activities that had made them increase their yields, improve their crop and raise their incomes.

The farmers, speaking through the Philippine Association of Tobacco-Based Cooperatives (Patco), Buklod ng mga Magsasaka ng Tabako (Bumanat), and other provincial groups, said that Yap's projects included the production of high-quality tobacco and the establishment of market linkages.

Patco president Carlos Cachola and Bumanat president Sixto Garcia also cited Yap's role in the on-going government thrust to look for other uses of tobacco that would generate more earnings for farmers and create more jobs.

The production of tobacco pulp and tobacco dust was recently declared as a "major breakthrough" in the tobacco sector by Environment Secretary Michael Defensor and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

Paper would be manufactured with tobacco pulp, and tobacco dust could be used by the fishpond industry.

Councilor Saturnino Distor of Pangasinan and Andy Reyes of Tarlac who are leaders of burley and native tobacco growers in their areas, expressed surprise about Yap's departure from the Cabinet, saying he is making great strides in the attainment of Goals 1 and 2 of President Arroyo's development agenda.

The tobacco pulp and dust projects will require big tracts in new agribusiness lands and these would trigger new employment opportunities especially in the northern provinces, they said.

Cachola said that Yap is a big loss not only to the government but "more so to us, tobacco farmers.

Yap tendered his resignation recently, claiming he is disturbed by accusations of tax evasion that happened more than a decade ago when he was not yet with the government.

He and his father Domingo were accused of not paying income tax for a property transaction made by DHY Corp. which his father headed. The younger Yap was the company's vice president.

His resignation was, however, not expected in view of his perceived remarkable performance in the agriculture department.

July 04, 2005

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