The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has assured support to the solutions proposed by leaders of various federations and other stakeholders to address industry issues and concerns during a meeting here led by Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona.

In a statement on Wednesday, Azcona welcomed the unified efforts showed by sugar industry leaders, particularly those from the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP), United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations (CONFED), and Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers (PANAYFED).

“I am very happy so see all stakeholders present and in agreement as this will ensure the survival of our beloved sugar industry. For this, I thank everyone for coming and participating,” said Azcona, who hosted the meeting at the SRA-Bacolod office on March 9.

During the discussions, the group agreed to urge the national government to revisit and resume with changes to the sugar buying program implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the SRA two years ago.

With a PHP5-billion budget, the government bought a certain portion of the farmers’ and millers’ produce at a pre-determined price.

Azcona said CONFED officials presented the proposed changes and all the other stakeholders will submit their suggestions and comments to the SRA.

“Suggestions for establishing a government mandated floor price for the farmer’s and miller’s sugar was also discussed,” he added.

Also tackled were certain measures to curb the possible effects of the Middle East conflict to the sugar industry, based on the letter of SRA Board farmers’ representative David Andrew Sanson requesting for stakeholder’s recommendations.

Concerns on the increase in fuel, fertilizer and other input costs were raised by the group with suggestions on how the government can possibly provide assistance to the sugar industry.

Azcona said the group will draft a letter addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which will be endorsed by the SRA to the DA and to the Office of the President.

“We hope this is a continuance of President Marcos’ administration’s effort in unifying the industry and coming up with unified efforts between government and the private sector,” he added. (PNA)