By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
SUGAR is sweet. But with the latest P14-billion importation fiasco, sugar tends to be “venomous” to those who want to be Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief.
So, asked by many sugar industry stakeholders: Anyare?
It started with the exposé of opposition senator Risa Hontiveros. It’s all about the alleged three favored sugar traders.
Per Sen. Risa, they cornered 440,000 metric tons (MT) of imported sugar with unsigned Sugar Order (SO) No. 6.
So, asked by the senator: Who called the shot?
Then, they’re selling the imported sugar at P85 per kilo. The result, Sen. Risa stressed, is the so-called “super profit” of P24/kilo.
“You can actually buy refined sugar wholesale for P25 per kilo in Thailand,” she pointed out.
“At P61, bayad na doon ang warehousing, duties, handling, at may maayos ka na na profit of P8/kilo per industry standard.”
So, termed by the lady Senator, it was like the trio traders won the lotto super jackpot of P10B to P14B.
WORSENING HEALTH CONDITION
But beyond the alleged super profit is the issue on breach of protocol. Senator Hontiveros said the imported supplies arrived the country sans approval of SO No. 6. So, she dared Executive Secretary (ES) Lucas Bersamin and Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban to “speak the truth”. She even challenged President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) to break his “apparent silence”.
Likewise, she pressed acting SRA chief David John Thaddeus Alba to sign SO No. 6.
But Alba, a La Carlota City native in Negros Occidental, opted to resign instead.
On March 24, Malacañang issued a press statement titled: “Statement on the Resignation of SRA Admon Alba”.
There, the Palace said: “Administrator David John Thaddeus Alba visited ES Lucas Bersamin last Wednesday (March 22, 2023) informing him of his decision to resign. ES Bersamin persuaded him not to, but he reasoned his worsening health condition. Upon the directive of the President, his resignation will be effective on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement.”
With this, Negrenses, especially the majority of the sugar planters, were “shocked”. On national television, Alba confirmed he’s sick.
Alba could not be reached for comment now.
‘KABULUNGOL’
Gov. Bong Lacson, upon hearing the news about Alba, simply said, “I wish him well soonest.”
Same with Negros Occ. 5th District’s Cong. Dino Yulo who was also former SRA executive.
Both “hailed” Alba for, at least, making the sugar mill gate prices “at its best” during his watch at SRA.
Alba assumed post in August 2022 vice Engr. Herminigildo Serafica.
The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), one of the biggest sugar planters’ groups in the country, was also saddened by Alba’s resignation.
NFSP president Enrique “Nene” Rojas, in an official statement, said, “We respect SRA Administrator Dave Alba’s decision to resign and safeguard his health.”
“However, people can’t help wondering if his resignation has something to do with the current sugar importation, which is highly questionable, to say the least,” Rojas added.
Lacson, Yulo and Rojas chorused in hoping Alba’s replacement be a Negrense still with comprehensive knowledge about the sugar industry.
“And is not identified with any vested interest, and is a person of proven honesty and integrity,” Rojas added.
Really, it’s disgusting to note what’s happening now in the sugar industry. The issue of importation coupled with the alleged kickbacks, super profit, etcetera is kinda recycled.
Kabulungol (deafening), commented by many “Little Planters” or the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros.
When President Bongbong assumed office in July last year, he was confronted by a sugar brouhaha. It was about SO No. 4 for 300,000 MT of refined sugar to be imported, too.
Such fueled the “indirect ouster” of then SRA officials – Administrator Serafica and Board Members Aurelio Valderrama and Roland Beltran.
The controversial Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, who signed SO NO.4 in behalf of the president, was also “grounded”.
Then, followed by the controversial exit of former ES Vic Rodriguez.
Everybody then thought everything’s over about sugar importation. Alas, it has worsened.
Thus, these questions:
* Is sugar now venomous?
* Why two SRA chiefs resigned just because of sugar importation?
* Is there somebody behind everything?
* Is this the reason why President Bongbong will ever remain as concurrent DA chief?
These questions are “bogging down” Negros now.
But here’s a “mother question”: Who’ll dare to be the next SRA chief?
Let’s just wait and see in the next few days!/PN
