A group of French suppliers, representing global sugar industry machinery manufacturers and processes equipment suppliers, conducted a week-long visit in Negros last week to discuss business opportunities which can redound to improved efficiency and productivity in the sugar industry.
Before visiting Negros Occidental, the group met with Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board member Dave Sanson and deputy administrator Ignacio Santillana, Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) executive director Jesus Barrera, and Victorias Milling Company corporate communication head Anne Tionko in Manila.
Assisting the group in arranging the visits were managing director Kevin Charuel and business support officer Bea Castro of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry France- Philippines (CCIFP), a non-profit and self-sustaining organization which aims to promote trade between France and the Philippines.
The suppliers wanted to get an overview of the Philippine sugar industry, and to understand what milling and farming equipment the sugar industry may need to upgrade its equipment and processes towards greater productivity and sustainability.
The SRA provided a profile of the industry, such as the number of farmers and farm sizes, national sugar production and withdrawals, and an overview of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) and the various programs funded by the SIDA.
Meanwhile, PSMA’s presentation focused on the milling sector, particularly on the investments of mills to improve sugar recovery.
PSMA also discussed the industry’s diversification into ethanol and commercial power cogeneration, and the challenges which the industry faces in those areas.
The group then proceeded to Negros Occidental, where they were welcomed with a dinner at the Provincial Capitol by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, Board Members Rita Gatuslao, Sixto Guanzon, Manuel Frederick Ko and Anton Occeño, among other provincial officials.
Negros Island accounts for more than 60 percent of the almost two million metric tons annual national sugar production.
Negros also hosts 13 of the 25 active sugar mills and six of the eleven sugar refineries in the country.
Moreover, most mills engage in bioethanol production and power cogeneration. ||
