The Department of Agriculture has appointed Dir. John B. Pascual as the new head of its regional office in the Ilocos Region.

Dr. Pascual assumed his post in a turnover ceremony held on August 2, 2024 at the DA-RFO1 5th floor conference room.

A graduate of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Pascual replaced Director Annie Q. Bares, who took the position on January 6, 2023, and opted to retire from government service on July 30, 2024.

Although hailing from the southernmost part of the country, Dr. Pascual traces his family roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.

Prior to his appointment as OIC RED of DA-RFO I by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr., Dr. Pascual held a plantilla position as Veterinarian II at the DA-RFO 12, a year after passing the Board Exam in Veterinary Medicine.

Showing his passion, integrity and excellent leadership abilities, he was promoted to the position of Agricultural Center Chief II in August 16, 2005 until he became Chief Agriculturist in December 2014 – a position he holds until he was designated as the OIC-RED of Region XII from June 2023-April 2024.

Three months after he was appointed as RTD for Operations, he received his Special Order as OIC RED for DA-RFO I by Sec. Tiu Laurel.

During the turn-over ceremony with outgoing Director Dr. Annie Bares, Dr. Pascual addressed the DA-RFO I Management Committee vowing to continue the good legacy of Dr. Bares in the department. “Yung mga achievements ni Doc Annie, susundan po natin iyon. Of course, with your help, sa ating team, siguro magagawan natin ng paraan na pantayan,” said Pascual. (We will follow Doc Annie’s achievements. Of course, with your help and that of our team, we can find a way to match those achievements.)

For the first semester of this year, the DA Ilocos Region placed second in terms of physical and financial accomplishments among other DA regional field offices nationwide. Pascual has set his goal on securing the number one spot given his opportunity to lead the Ilocos agricultural sector. “Sinabi kanina na number two tayo. Siguro mas maganda kung maging number 1 pa tayo,” he mused. (It was said earlier that we are number two. Maybe it would be better if we become number 1.)

In his first meeting with the Management Committee members, Dir. Pascual’s initial marching order is the observance of the conduct for a regular management meeting scheduled every Monday of the week where “no travel for Monday” policy will be followed. This is to provide an avenue for every heads of the Divisions/Sections/Units and other special projects to discuss relevant matters related in the efficient implementation of the plans programs and projects of the Department.

Basing from the transition plans that the outgoing RED handed to him, Dir. Pascual reminded the organized Technical Working Group to fast track liquidation of project accounts and called on the members of the ManCom to religiously follow the plans and programs carried out under the Budget Execution Documents of the Department.

Having been briefed on the organizational set-up of the Department where various plantilla positions are vacant, he also asked the Personnel Selection Board to fast track the filling up of available positions in the region.

Recognizing the role of the Agricultural Program’s Coordinating Officers (APCO) in the four provinces, he likewise noted the need to designate a Deputy APCO that would serve as a co-partner of the designated APCO in various activities scheduled for each of the four provinces.

With this new leadership role, Dr. Pascual is putting his best foot forward in fostering agricultural development in Ilocos Region.