MANILA, April 17 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday named Isidro Velayo Jr. as the new officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Velayo's designation came after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of the agency's director Demosthenes Escoto.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the BFAR's function must remain unhampered to ensure the implementation of its major projects.

"My marching order to him is to ensure that operations of the agency will not be affected by this legal development," he said.

Velayo served as BFAR assistant director for technical services. He was also the national coordinator of the agency's seaweed program and a former di...