Sugar Price Dip Sparks ‘Word War’ Between SRA, NFSP

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY—The ongoing decline in sugar prices has escalated into a heated exchange between Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) President Enrique Rojas.

Azcona responded sharply to Rojas’ accusations, stating, “Get your facts straight,” in a press statement released Wednesday to Daily Guardian.

Azcona expressed offense at Rojas’ claim that the “no importation” announcement by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel was misleading.

“I take offense at the claim that our no importation announcement until the end of harvest was ‘misleading.’ I hope the NFSP can substantiate their accusations, as such claims reflect a warped and distorted mindset,” Azcona said.

Azcona said Rojas initially supported the no-importation policy but later retracted his statement after alleged persuasion by others.

“It’s ironic—I even sent a letter thanking NFSP for their support. Unlike Mr. Rojas, I will not retract my position because I believe it was made in good faith,” Azcona said.

Azcona criticized Rojas for not studying the data before making accusations, saying, “I just hope he gets his facts straight so he doesn’t come out laughable.”

Azcona also expressed disappointment with Rojas, whom he described as a friend, for allegedly being swayed by others’ influence.

“I feel sorry for Mr. Rojas and his planter-members because this shows how easily their leader can be influenced, particularly by an individual with a clouded perception due to past grievances,” Azcona said.

Rojas accused the SRA of failing to disclose the earlier importation of refined sugar under Sugar Order No. 5, Series of 2023-2024.

Azcona countered, saying the data on imported and local sugar inventories was openly available and that Rojas and NFSP members were invited to a stakeholders’ consultative meeting but chose to decline.

During the August 6 meeting, Azcona said refiners and millers admitted they could not ensure sufficient refined sugar supplies by the end of November and requested permission to import raw sugar for refinement, which the SRA denied.

Instead, the SRA approved refined sugar imports to prevent further impact on sugar farmers, Azcona explained.

“This decision was no secret. NFSP could have explained this to their members if they had participated in the discussions. Otherwise, what’s the point of representing members who pay them dues?” Azcona said.

He lamented Rojas’ retraction, describing it as an effort to appease others.

“Tito Nene Rojas has led NFSP for decades, but I pity him for retracting his support to satisfy others’ whims,” Azcona said, adding that he personally called Rojas to thank him initially.

Azcona emphasized that SRA’s data showed no oversupply of sugar. As of Oct. 20, raw production was down by 73.46%, raw stock by 31.26%, refined production by 97.77%, and refined stock by 37.23%, including imported and local sugar.

He accused Rojas and the “so-called sugar council” of being consistent detractors of the current administration, saying, “Respect begets respect. Despite our efforts and sincerity, their irrational distrust and baseless accusations persist.”

The NFSP, in a press statement on Tuesday, retracted its initial support for the SRA’s no-importation policy, claiming that it was unaware of the refined sugar imported earlier in the year.

NFSP President Rojas said, “We were initially happy that no additional imported sugar would enter the country, but we did not know that SRA had already brought in 135,833 metric tons of refined sugar.”

The issue continues to divide stakeholders in the sugar industry, raising questions about transparency and leadership within the sector.