• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In a show of unity, stakeholders of the sugar industry recently met to formulate possible solutions to the present and incoming problems of the industry, with the ongoing Middle East armed conflict in mind.
The meeting on March 9 in Bacolod City was attended by leaders of various sugar federations, millers, representatives of labor groups, and the Sugar Regulatory Administration board, led by Pablo Luis Azcona.
Aside from the urgent need to control the entry of artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes, the group agreed to urge the national government to revisit and implement a modified version of the sugar buying program, a statement from the SRA said.
Two years ago, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had approved a P5 billion budget, as requested by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel and SRA Admin Pablo Azcona, where the government will buy a certain portion of the farmer’s and miller’s produce at a predetermined price.
Also discussed were suggestions for establishing a government mandated floor price for the farmer’s and miller’s sugar.
The Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (CONFED) presented suggestions on how the program will be implemented, while other stakeholders are set to submit their own suggestions and comments to the SRA, at the soonest possible time.
Dave Sanson, who represents planters in the SRA Sugar Board, asked for recommendations from the stakeholders on how to cushion the effects of Middle East conflict on the sugar industry, anticipating increases in fuel, fertilizer, and other agricultural input costs.
The recommendations drafted by the group will be endorsed by the SRA to the DA and Malacañang for appropriate action.
Describing it as a momentous meeting, where all members of the SRA Board, as well as all stakeholders from Luzon to Mindanao, were fully represented and in agreement, Azcona said he hopes this will be a continuance of the PBBM administration’s effort in unifying the industry, and coming up with unified efforts between government and the private sector.
Stressing his elation on the presence of all stakeholders who were in agreement during the meeting, Azcona said it will ensure the survival of the sugar industry.*
