ENRIQUE D. Rojas received another two-year mandate to lead the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) during the annual general assembly and election of the federation recently.
Rojas has been serving as NFSP president for 20 years now, starting his first term in 2000 after then NFSP president Bacolod Lone District Rep. Romeo G. Guanzon passed away. Rojas has served as Executive Vice-President of the federation since 1972 until 1986 under the late Cong. Armando Gustilo and from 1986 to 2000 under Guanzon.
Presidents and chairpersons of more than 30 NFSP-affiliated planters associations and cooperatives converged at the NFSP Main Office in Bacolod for this year’s regular gathering.
One of the most controversial items in the agenda was the proposed sugar import liberalization.
“In principle, we firmly oppose the importation of sugar, because we believe that we can produce more than enough for domestic consumption, provided that we are given appropriate support and favorable government policies. We reiterate our call for government to support the local farmers, so that we can improve our productivity and lower our production cost,” said Rojas in his message.
“In particular, NFSP requests the government to categorically abandon the proposal for sugar import liberalization, so that farmers can focus on improving their production, without worrying about the entry of cheaper, subsidized imported sugar,” he added.
But if there is a shortage, and importation cannot be avoided, the federation passed a resolution recommending guidelines to be adopted by the Sugar Regulatory Administration in the conduct of the importation.
Foremost among NFSP’s recommendations was the adoption of a clear, transparent and accurate computation of supply and demand, to determine the exact volume of shortage for importation. The federation also insisted that SRA should strictly regulate the arrival and release of the importation, so that it will not affect millgate sugar prices.
Moreover, NFSP strongly urged SRA to come up with a mechanism that will allow sugar industry stakeholders, particularly the sugarcane farmers, to directly benefit from funds arising from such importation.
Aside from discussing official federation business and conducting the elections, the members were also briefed on the latest status of sugar production and withdrawals, trend of sugar prices in the world market, and accomplishments of the Sugar Anti-Smuggling Office.
The other re-elected and new officers of NFSP are Vice-Presidents Jaime G. Golez (Western Visayas), Atty. Inaki P. Larrazabal, Jr. (Eastern Visayas), Romeo V. Garcia (Mindanao) and Leonides N. Fausto (Luzon);
Corporate Secretary – Atty. Augusto B. Araneta, Jr.; Treasurer – Jose Mari M. Miranda; and,
Board of Directors Dr. Miller V. Serondo, Jaime G. Golez, Manuel H. Puey, Atty. Inaki P. Larrazabal, Jr., Atty. Augusto B. Araneta, Jr., Romeo V. Garcia, Victoria M. Dicdican, Enrique D. Rojas, Paolo M. Severino, Roy R. Lobaton, Jose Mari M. Miranda, Leonides N. Fausto, Rodolfo T. Celestial, Francisco L. Serios, Jr. and Jovitt Anthony U. Nuique. (PR)