Negrense recommended to head SRA

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – A Negrense has been recommended to replace Herminigildo Serafica as head of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED), however, declined to name the Negrense whom he recommended to President-Elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Serafica’s term ends on June 30.

Negros Occidental 5th District Representative-elect Emilio “Dino” Yulo also pushed for a Negrense to lead the SRA.

Yulo, who served as director of SRA said “We need a Negrense to head the SRA. I think that is more important than personalities.”

Lamata also said that he already informed President Marcos Jr. about the move of Serafica to import more than 300,000 metric tons of sugar.

Serafica cited the lack of sugar supply in the country due to the devastation brought about by typhoon Odette to the sugar-producing Negros Island, in justifying for sugar importation.

The Special Order issued by SRA to import 200,000 metric tons of sugar in March this year was challenged in courts by sugar producers and cooperatives.

“This could be a ‘Morning Deal’ because the importation in March was dubbed as “Midnight Deal,” Lamata pointed out.

He maintained the importation of sugar was only intended for giant beverage and soft drink companies.