Sugar planters want Angara to stay at DA

Sugar planters asked government yesterday to guarantee them a share in whatever benefits will be derived from any sugar importation to be undertaken even as they appealed to President Estrada to retain Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara in his present post.

National Federation of Sugarcane Planters president Enrique Rojas said that since Angara took over the DA, he has given substance to all agricultural flagship programs of the administration, aside from being widely known for his capability, concern, and leadership in the field of agriculture, being the principal author of Republic Act 8455 or the Agricultural and Fishery Modernization.

It also emphasized that the continued stay of Angara in the DA will give him adequate opportunities to spearhead and promote more major agricultural policy reforms.

The NFSP officials also recommended to Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) chief Nicolas Alonso the further strengthening of the objectives of the SRA sugar import-export program.

This, he said, can be attained by giving sugar producers a share in the profits to be derived from the program, corresponding to the extent of their individual participation in terms of quantity exported.

Rojas pointed out that this should be beneficial, especially to small sugarcane planters, who due to financial constraints, have to sell all their sugar immediately, even at low prices.

The group also called on the SRA to make proper representations with financial institutions so that credit facilities can be made available to sugar producers’ associations or cooperatives which like to participate in the program.

Meanwhile, the NFSP noted that there is now an excellent working team in the DA doing its share to ensure timely delivery of services to the agricultural and fishery sector. "They must be encouraged to stay together for the next five years so they can achieve their objectives," it said. – Rocel Felix