• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Sugar Council, composed of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters, Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP) and Democratic Association of Labor Organization (DALO), are calling for a broader overhaul of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, including the expansion and replacement of its governing Sugar Board.
UNIFED President Manuel Lamata said the recent meeting with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos provided an opportunity to identify common goals and work toward solutions for the sector.
Lamata also urged industry players to set aside political differences, stressing that cooperation would be critical to overcoming the challenges facing sugar producers.
“There must be no room for negativity if we want to survive these crises facing our industry,” he added.
Lamata said the UNIFED would continue working with the SRA, the DA, and other government agencies to help ensure the continued viability of the sugar industry.
In a joint statement, the Sugar Council, NACUSIP, and DALO said they would fully participate in the newly created National Anti-Red-Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) Ad Hoc Committee.
The groups expressed hope that the committee would provide concrete solutions to the rapidly worsening RSSI infestation, which they said has become one of the most serious threats to the sugar industry. | GPB
