BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Sugar planters attending yesterday’s 68th PHILSUTECH Annual National Convention at the SMX Convention Center here voiced their opposition to the proposed abolition of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
SRA is a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Agriculture. It is tasked to promote the growth and development of the sugar industry through greater participation of the private sector, and to improve the working conditions of laborers in the industry.
Calls to abolish SRA surfaced following the issuance of controversial Sugar Order No. 4 (SO4) deemed illegal by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
SO4 allows the importation of sugar.
According to Negros Occidental 5th District congressman Emilio “Dino” Yulo III, abolishing SRA would result to the unabated importation of sugar similar to what is already happening in the rice industry.
“We cannot do away with the regulatory powers of the SRA,” stressed Yulo.
SRA Board Member Pablo Luis Azcona, who is representing sugar planters, said the SRA is necessary to regulate the sugar industry.
There are businessmen who care only about making profits and have very little regard or do not care at all about the sugar farmers, he pointed out.
SRA’s abolition is a death sentence tor sugar farmers, warned Azcuna.
United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) president Manuel Lamata is also against abolishing the SRA. Despite the controversies, he said the agency remains effective in protecting the local sugar industry.
The problem lies with the people manning the agency, he lamented.
For his part, Luzon Federation of Sugarcane Growers Association president Cornelio Toreja said abolishing the SRA will do more harm than good to the sugar industry.
He pointed out Luzon currently produces nine percent of the country’s total sugar supply, with the province of Batangas being the biggest sugar producer in Luzon./PN
