Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Friday swore into office Secretary of Agriculture Arthur Yap, the first Chinese-Filipino cabinet secretary in the Philippine history, among others in a mass oath-taking rites.

Also sworn in were Imelda Nicolas, the Lead Convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, two undersecretaries, one assistant secretary and 22 newly promoted police generals in the ceremony held at the presidential palace, said a government statement.

Arthur Yap, also National Food Authority administrator, was appointed Agriculture Undersecretary for Luzon operations early this year before he was promoted to Agriculture Secretary last month to replace Cito Lorenzo after the election.

Yap said his dream is for the Philippines to eventually achieve rice self-sufficiency, that there shall be affordable rice for all Filipino families and that reviving agricultural productivity will help eradicate massive rural poverty in the countryside.

He is expected to pursue his predecessor's programs at the Agriculture Department, particularly those involving Arroyo's objective of creating 10 million jobs in the next six years of her administration.

Source: Xinhua