by Melanie Rapiz-Parel
THE NTA Governing Board elected former Dolores, Abra Mayor Robert Victor G. Seares Jr. as the new administrator of the government tobacco regulatory agency, following its 133rd Regular Meeting on June 29.
Seares, who will also serve as the Vice Chairman of the Board, took his oath before Agriculture Secretary and Chairman of the Board William D. Dar, held at the Conference Room of the Office of the Secretary, Department of Agriculture, in Quezon City.
The Board received the nomination of Seares as Administrator by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in a letter from the Office of the President dated June 10, 2020.
The new administrator got unanimous votes from the current directors Rodolfo F. Salanga (manufacturing sector), Teofilo R. Quintal (farmer sector), Wilfredo C. Martinez (farmer sector), Nestor C. Casela (academic community sector), Danilo C. Trongco (farmer sector), and Wilson R. Victorio (traders/exporters sector).
Seares Jr. replaced his father Robert L. Seares who died of illness on March 19 this year.
Officer-in-Charge Roberto R. Bonoan formally transferred leadership on June 22 to the young Seares with a ceremonial turnover of agency banner, witnessed by Deputy Administrator for Support Services Benedicto M. Savellano, and heads of the departments and divisions and staff at the NTA Central Office.
“This is not a new administration, but a continuation of the leadership of my father in implementing programs that protect the welfare of our tobacco farmers,” said the 40-year-old new executive in his message.
According to Bonoan, Seares brings years of expertise in leadership and management to NTA, an attached corporation of the Department of Agriculture. As a mayor, Seares turned Dolores, a 5th class municipality, into one of the most progressive towns in the Cordillera Administrative Region, and a consistent DILG Seal of Good Governance Awardee.
