BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 5,000-strong Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, Inc. welcomed the appointment of Negrense Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, Jr. to the Sugar Regulatory Administration Board, representing the planters, by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
In a statement, Danilo Abelita, chairman of the board and president of Panayfed, said his group believes that the naming of Valderrama to the post is timely and apt considering that he has been a long-time industry leader, having served both private and public organizations within the sugar industry under various capacities.
“Mr. Valderrama has been and still is an advocate in the protection and advancement of small sugarcane farmers, including agrarian reform beneficiaries’ (ARBs) rights and welfare,” according to Abelita.
Valderrama is currently president of the VICMICO Planters Association, Inc. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association, Inc. since 2010 up to the present.
Valderrama served as chairman of the CONFED Board from 2012 to 2014. He was once chairman of the Philippine Sugar Research Institute (PHILSURIN) from 2012 to 2013.
“Panayfed looks forward to working closely and cooperating with Mr. Valderrama and the SRA for the improvement of the sugar industry in light of the current global economic and political landscape,” Abelita, in a statement, added.*
