By CESAR JOLITO III
The Sugar Council has fired back at recent remarks made by Sugar Board Planters Representative Dave Sanson, questioning his call for unity among industry stakeholders.
In a statement, the Sugar Council emphasized its long-standing efforts to foster collaboration within the sugar sector, working closely with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to develop sustainable solutions for the industry’s challenges.
However, the council criticized Sanson for promoting what it described as “unity on his own terms,” which prioritizes acceptance of SRA’s solutions without genuine consultation with farmers and other stakeholders.
“Genuine unity demands consensus, especially among sugar farmers — the majority of whom have never even seen Mr. Sanson,” the council said.
They also pointed to recent mill gate price movements, noting that the reported P20 to P30 increase touted by Sanson is minimal compared to the P300 to P500 weekly declines from the previous crop year.
“Small farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries, who harvested early in the milling season, have largely been unable to benefit from this slight increase,” the statement read.
The council further challenged Sanson’s claim that proposals supported by the Confederation of Sugar Producers, major labor groups and three planters’ federations had failed, saying such assertions are premature as the proposals have yet to be implemented.
Controversy also surrounds the Sugar Board’s recent issuance of Sugar Order No. 2, signed by Sanson and released on January 14.
According to the council, the order effectively prioritizes those who voluntarily purchase raw sugar for participation in future import and export programs, creating a “back door” for potential importation despite Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s repeated assurances that no sugar imports will occur until December 2026.
“The sugar order’s language clearly reveals its true purpose,” the council stated.
“Yet Mr. Sanson signed it without objection, raising questions about whose interests he is ultimately representing,” they added.
The Sugar Council concluded by reaffirming its commitment to a collaborative approach that prioritizes farmers’ welfare and genuine consensus among industry stakeholders./CJ, WDJ