By CESAR JOLITO III

The United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) has come to the defense of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), rejecting criticisms from the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association, Inc. (Confed) that blamed the agency for the recent drop in sugar and molasses prices at the start of the milling season.

“If there is someone to be blamed for the low price of sugar at the start of the milling season, we should look at the very people who have been agitating the market through their grandstanding,” Unifed Chairman Manuel Lamata said in a statement released yesterday, lashing out at Confed President Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama, Jr. over his open letter criticizing SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona.

Lamata accused Valderrama of hypocrisy, alleging that while Confed criticized importation, its member association, Vicmico Planters MPC, participated in the program.

“That importation program they are talking about was discussed months ago and went through consultation with various stakeholders. Yet, they kept mum for three months and, when milling was about to open, started talking of importation, which they know full well is bound to influence market prices,” he said.

Lamata said the timing of Confed’s letter was “orchestrated,” noting that market prices began to slide only after public discussions on “over-importation” and “oversupply” gained traction.

“That open letter was not a knee-jerk reaction to the low price of sugar and molasses. That person was obviously looking for the perfect timing to lash back at Paul [Azcona] for not getting his desired price, just like a petulant child,” Lamata said.

“Up until they started talking of importation and oversupply, the market was quiet, and we were expecting better prices than what we saw last week,” he added.

He expressed full confidence in Azcona’s leadership, saying that despite his youth, the SRA chief “has shown wisdom more than this pretentious sugar leader whom we all know has an axe to grind, not just against the SRA administrator but probably against anybody who will get appointed to SRA because of his embarrassing short stint as a member of the Sugar Board.”

The Unifed leader also praised Azcona for introducing several programs that strengthened the sugar industry, including the modernization of SRA research facilities, disease control task forces, and the first-ever policy on molasses importation.

“Sometimes we need to unmask these pretentious wannabes in our midst and start questioning whether they are really working for the interest of the industry or because they have unresolved gripes from an embarrassing episode,” Lamata said.

He further urged the SRA to reconsider its working relationship with Confed’s leadership.

“It’s time for the SRA to sever ties with people who can’t and will never see any good in anyone other than themselves. It’s time to stop working with ingrates and hypocrites,” he added.

‘Worsening state’ 

In his open letter earlier this week, Valderrama called out the SRA for what he described as a “worsening state of the sugar industry,” citing the sharp decline in sugar and molasses prices nationwide.

Valderrama blamed the “over-importation of sugar and molasses” for flooding the market, saying the drop in farm gate prices had placed planters and millers under serious financial strain.

“The situation we now face is not simply an unfortunate market trend but the consequence of poor planning, lack of coordination, and failure to protect the industry from foreseeable risks,” Confed stated.

The group also warned that the unmonitored influx of artificial sweeteners had disrupted demand for local sugar, aggravating the price collapse.

It questioned the SRA’s failure to anticipate the effects of oversupply despite having access to real-time production and withdrawal data.

Under Executive Order No. 18, series of 1986, the SRA is mandated to maintain a balance between sugar production and market requirements.

Confed claimed that this mandate “has been compromised” and urged the SRA to lay out a clear plan to stabilize prices and protect small farmers.

“True leadership requires accountability,” Valderrama stressed, saying transparency in importation and data management is essential to restore stakeholder confidence.

Despite the sharp exchange, Confed said it remains open to collaboration with the SRA “in an inclusive, transparent, and honest manner,” emphasizing that timely and accurate information is crucial to resolving the crisis./CJ, WDJ