By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol is scheduled to meet with local sugar planters this week.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said among the issues to be taken up include recent statements by President Rodrigo Duterte expressing his desire to see the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) abolished.

However, Lacson earlier stated he does not believe SRA will be easily abolished, and he would lobby for its retention to Piñol.

The vice governor added he will also lobby the agriculture secretary to provide programs for SRA in order to further boost the sugar industry.

Previously, Duterte accused the SRA of being corrupt, as it had allegedly hired consultants who were paid P200,000 a month.

However, General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) Secretary-General Wennie Sancho defended the SRA, saying all consultants are approved by the SRA board.

Sancho also stated they are planning a protest against the new appointee, claiming Atty. Anna Rosario Paner was removed because of a conspiracy hatched by the new SRA administrator, Hermenegildo Serafica./DGB, WDJ