• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED) has warned its members of the potential devastating impact of the looming Super El Niño on the country’s sugar industry.
It also expressed frustration over what it described as the government’s continued failure to take meaningful action despite repeated warnings.
In a message addressed to all CONFED members, association president Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. said the country faces a nationwide drought threat over the next six months, with widespread drought conditions projected to peak in January 2027.
Valderrama said that the anticipated weather phenomenon could severely affect the upcoming sugarcane crop cycle, further aggravating the industry’s existing difficulties and threatening the livelihood of farmers and other stakeholders.
He also criticized the government’s alleged inaction, saying CONFED had repeatedly raised concerns about the worsening situation and presented proposed interventions to address the crisis.
According to Valderrama, the association had written letters, issued manifestos, held meetings with government officials, forged alliances, and submitted concrete recommendations in an effort to secure timely assistance for the industry.
However, he lamented that months of engagement had yielded only promises, assurances and what he described as appeasement, without substantial results. | GPB
