In 1999, former Senate President Edgardo J. Angara was appointed SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE by President Estrada. During his term as Secretary of Agriculture (1999–2001), he authored the AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MODERNIZATION ACT OF 1998 or AFMA (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8435). Under AFMA, farmers and fisher folk benefited from improved seeds and plant materials, better irrigation, better financing and market access. Overall, the agricultural sector saw a GROWTH RATE OF 3.6 PERCENT A YEAR SINCE 2000, compared with a 1.2 percent growth over the past two decades. “Ed Angara, rock of PH education and victor of democracy” – former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. MORE ACHIEVEMENTS: • the NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT or PHILHEALTH; • the SENIORS CITIZEN ACT; • the RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT; • the PROCUREMENT REFORM ACT; • the AURORA SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AUTHORITY (ASEZA); • the new NATIONAL MUSEUM AND NATIONAL COMMISSION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS; • the NATIONAL BOOK PUBLISHING INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT ACT and the NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE LAW. “It’s been a far from perfect life, fraught with accident—sometimes happily so—and misadventure, but it has also been a grand opportunity and privilege to serve the Filipino people as lawyer, lawmaker, and educator.” - Angara, in his biography We extend our thoughts, prayers and well wishes to the family, friends, colleagues and loved ones of Edgardo J. Angara during this time of grief. May he rest in peace. EDGARDO JAVIER ANGARA (September 24, 1934 – May 13,