By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) lauded the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for their efforts to bring in traders to start buying sugar at better prices.

Unifed president Manuel Lamata said the P200 price increase for each 50-kilo sugar bag is “a great relief for sugar farmers after a long slump in sugar prices.”

Lamata said the P200 difference is a huge help for farmers.

“We are thankful to [Agriculture] Secretary [Francisco] Laurel, [SRA] Administrator [Pablo] Azcona and the SRA Board for their incessant drive to find solutions,” Lamata said, as he also thanked the sugar traders who cooperated with SRA on their appeal.

Sugar prices went up to P2,600 from P2,400.

Lamata also praised SRA board members David Sanson and Mitzi Mangwag for standing tall amidst the attacks they have been getting from sugar industry players who “are just fond of criticizing but not offering solutions.”

“We are lucky we have a leader in Azcona who refuses to be cowered by negativity and works to get positive results for our industry,” he said./DGB, WDJ