• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED), also shared the sentiments of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo that the next Sugar Regulatory Administration head should be a Negrense.
While he is a giving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a free hand to select the successor of outgoing SRA chief David John Thaddeus Alba, UNIFED president Manuel Lamata yesterday said he is also hoping that it will be a Negrense again, so that Negros has a voice, since 65 percent of sugar production comes from the province.
Alba still has until April 15 to serve, according to Malacañang, which approved his resignation, pending the announcement of a successor.
Addressing speculations, Alba clarified that his resignation stemmed from “purely health-related reasons.”
Lamata admitted that he is saddened by the resignation of Alba, whom he described as a “good man.”
He also doused speculations that controversial issues in the sugar industry, such as sugar smuggling, among others, forced Alba to resign.
“Those are rumors, and without basis,” Lamata said.*
