Bacolod City-The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) is asking for the resignation of Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica in connection with the issuance of Sugar Order (SO)No. 3.
SO No. 3, allows the importation of 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar for industrial users.
Unifed President, Manuel Lamata said, “There seems to be a midnight deal between the Sugar Regulatory Administration(SRA), the Department of Agriculture and a giant bottling company to be given this preferential treatment.”
In due time, “we will reveal and boycott that beverage company,” he pointed out.
“It is appalling that there is a giant bottling company who will gain much from this importation program to avoid buying from the local industry. They’ve been at this before and we are not surprised that they are at it again,” Lamata said.
He added, “What is troubling is that they are getting help from the very agencies that are supposed to protect us.”
The group is appealing once again to President Rodrigo Duterte to help them and fire Serafica as it seems he is working for the benefit of others instead of them.
The sugar leader also said that they have been patient with the government’s “inaction” on the rising cost of fertilizers and other farm inputs, “because we know that all resources are being channeled to pandemic measures and we understand that.
But this importation order from SRA, with the concurrence and prodding of Agriculture Secretary William Dar, is not going to help any sector except one – the big industrial users, Lamata explained./PN
