SRA chief plays safe, stance on liberalization still unclear

MANILA, Philippines — After almost a month, the Sugar Regulatory Administration finally broke its silence and sided with the farmers but its position on the government’s plan to liberalize imports remains vague.

In a statement, SRA administrator Hermenegildo Serafica said he would always abide by the mandate of the agency and consider the good of the industry, particularly its farmers.

However, he did not specifically say whether he was in favor of the economic team’s proposal to open up the sugar industry.

“I and the SRA board, in executing our mandate, need to look into importation only when there is a need to augment the supply and this will always be studied thoroughly,” Serafica said.

“SRA is mandated to maintain a balance between sugar supply and demand that will ensure a price that is profitable to producers and fair to consumers,” he said.

SRA board members Emilio Yulo and Roland Beltran were not satisfied with Serafica’s answer, saying the regulator was playing safe.

“Simply put, the issue on sugar liberalization can be answered by a yes or no. He is super safe,” Yulo told The STAR.

Sugar farmers have been urging Serafica to resign for his failure to stand up for the industry.

Serafica said he was in a recent meeting with the economic development cluster where he said the supply in bottler’s grade was augmented by the recent sugar import program.

“The mechanism, volume and timing are important factors to consider in any importation and will undergo exhaustive consultations with industry stakeholders,” Serafica said.

“Importation shall be resorted to only when necessary. SRA shall be focusing more to improve production and productivity to lessen, if not avoid importation,” he said.

The EDC also agreed that it was important to meet the needs of the end users and increase the productivity of the sugarcane farmers, millers and refiners.