By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
A local sugar group in Negros Occidental was surprised over the sudden resignation of Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head David John Thaddeus Alba.
Manuel Lamata, President of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED), said Alba may have been working too hard in the SRA and, as a result, he forgot to take care of his health.
Lamata also pointed out that once you put him to work on a certain task, you can no longer talk to him until it is done.
Meanwhile, in a message by Alba to local media, he said it has been an honor and privilege to serve the sugar industry as the SRA acting administrator.
“In as much as he would like to serve the industry, its stakeholders, the President, and the Filipino people, the duties and responsibilities of being the acting administrator, have taken a negative toll on my health and family life,” Alba said.
“I must regretfully resign as the acting administrator to preserve my health and fully recover,” he added.
He also took the opportunity to dispel speculation regarding his resignation and it stemmed purely on health-related reasons.
“Had I been in better health, I would gladly continue with the responsibility entrusted to me by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” he said.
Earlier, SRA board member Pablo Azcona said, based on the explanation provided to them by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Alba’s resignation was due to health reasons.
While still in office, Alba exhibited high blood pressure problems and some co-employees close to him were already concerned.
Azcona has also denied that Alba’s resignation was related to sugar smuggling allegations.
On March 20, the DA was informed that Alba had submitted an “irrevocable resignation.”
Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said he tried to persuade Alba, but he reasoned his worsening health condition.
Bersamin said upon the directive of Marcos, his resignation would be effective on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement.
Alba was appointed as SRA head in August of 2022, replacing Hermenegildo Serafica, who resigned due to the controversial issuance of Sugar Order No. 4./DGB, WDJ