Agriculture Sec. Luis Lorenzo Jr. has ordered the creation of a Research and Development Advisory Committee (Rdac) for the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center Aquaculture Division (Seafdec AQD) tasked to "review the current thrusts and prioritize all activities" of the institution. The directive came in the wake of the controversies which rocked the Seafdec AQD based in Tigbauan, Iloilo following the continued reduction in its budget and the call of the scientists and other research staff for the ouster of AQD Chief Dr. Roland Platon. In Special Order No. 24 dated Jn. 20, 2004, a copy of which was furnished SunStar Iloilo, Lorenzo said the review and prioritization would serve as a "basis for streamlining the organization to pave way for the appropriate utilization of its allotted budget for current year and henceforth."

Guadalquiver, N. L. (2004, February 2). Body tasked to review Seafdec AQD priorities. SunStar, pp. 1, 11.