A Negrense has been recommended to replace Herminigildo Serafica as head of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), however, refused to identify the Negrense, whom he recommended to president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be the next SRA head.
The term of Serafica ends on June 30.
Negros Occidental 5th District congressman-elect Emilio “Dino” Yulo also pushed for a Negrense as next SRA administrator.
“We need a Negrense to head the SRA. I think it is more important than personalities,” Yulo, who once served as board member of SRA, said.
Meanwhile, Lamata said he had already informed Marcos Jr. about the move of Serafica to import more than 300,000 metric tons of sugar.
As justification for sugar importation, Serafica cited the lack of supply in the country due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Odette to the sugar-producing Negros island.
The Sugar Order Number 3 issued by SRA to import 200,000 metric tons of sugar in March this year was challenged in courts by sugar producers and cooperatives.
Lamata maintained that the importation of sugar was only intended for giant beverage and soft drink companies./GB
