By JEN BAYLON
The United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed) has requested the abolition of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), over its failure to allow cloud seeding operations at the height of the drought to save sugarcane plantations in Negros Occidental.
“The sugar industry is suffering from a big loss amounting to hundreds of millions,” Unifed president Manuel Lamata said in a statement yesterday.
“They sacrificed the hundred billion sugar industry,” Lamata said, citing BSWM’s reasons for not allowing cloud seeding operations early in March, including the lack of seedable clouds.
Lamata said the bureau had instead spared the mango plantations in San Carlos City and Guimaras from the effects of cloud seeding.
“They are so incompetent and stupid,” he said.
The Unifed president said the Department of Agriculture in Western Visayas (DA-6) will conduct cloud seeding operations despite the rains brought by Tropical Storm “Aghon” that has already left the country.
“When it rains, it pours. It is better late than never,” he said.
Earlier, the DA-6 allowed cloud seeding operations in Negros Occidental to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on agriculture.
Lamata also said they are eyeing a 20 percent decline in sugar production this crop year due to drought.
Surplus
The Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Inc. (PSMA) said the country is currently experiencing a surplus in sugar production, making it unnecessary to import sugar at this time.
“The country has an abundant supply of sugar this year,” PSMA executive director Atty. Jesus L. Barrera said.
“Our increased production has filled our warehouses, so there is no need to import at this time,” he added.
Barrera said, even with sugar milling already closed for the season, they are confident that the current sugar inventories will last until the next crop year, which will start in October.
“However, we will continue monitoring the impact of El Niño on the supply levels in the upcoming harvest,” he added.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported that, as of May 12, raw sugar production volume has reached 1.921 million tons, exceeding last year’s 1.799 million tons.
Refined sugar production also increased to 687,823 tons, from 624,389 tons last season.
The SRA said that inventory levels have risen significantly, with a 26 percent increase in raw sugar supply, which was equivalent to 1.150 million tons.
A portion of the inventory, made up of 135,675 tons of imported refined sugar, an increase of 35 percent, was brought in last year, but remained unused.
However, the demand for sugar has fallen this crop season.
Withdrawals or demand for domestic raw sugar and local refined sugar have decreased by 4.23 percent and 7.20 percent, respectively.
However, withdrawals of imported refined sugar increased by 16 percent.
The surplus is a welcome development for the Philippine sugar industry, which has faced challenges in recent years due to factors, such as climate change and market fluctuations.
The industry’s ability to produce a surplus of sugar will help stabilize prices and ensure a steady supply for consumers./JB, WDJ