AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat will be the guest speakers during the opening of the 67th Annual National Convention of the Philippine Sugar Technologists Associations, Inc. (Philsutech) on August 25 at Park Inn Hotel, SM City, Bacolod City.
Puyat already confirmed her attendance, while Dar has yet to confirm his presence.
All farmers in the country are looking forward to Dar’s message, particularly on the national government’s present programs for the agriculture sector, in general, and the sugarcane industry, in particular.
On August 26, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica will also deliver a report on the latest developments in the sugar industry, the sugar supply and demand situation for Crop Year 2020-2021, and what stakeholders can look forward to in Crop Year 2021-2022.
The three-day convention will last until August 27, with the theme “Sugarcane Industry: Braving through the Challenges of Times.” The last day will be capped by the general assembly at 9:30 a.m. of Philsutech members, reports of officers, and the election and induction of the new set of officers, all of which will be conducted virtually via Zoom.
“This is the first time that the convention returns to Bacolod City after 17 years of being held in Cebu, and the first time that the event is held under a pandemic. To adapt to the present scenario, the convention will be conducted via hybrid format, with mainly virtual activities and limited physical attendance, strictly observing health protocols,” said Haydee V. Rivera, Philsutech corporate secretary and administrative officer.
“We will accommodate a maximum of 40 participants to attend physically, provided that they have completed the two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, and they have the certification or vaccine pass to prove it. The rest of the participants will have to attend virtually,” she added.
Aside from the three top government officials who confirmed their attendance during the convention, other experts in their respective fields will also deliver talks on the topics “Embracing the Challenge: PHILSURIN Recommends Suitable Varieties for Specific Mill Districts,” “Workers Safety in the New Normal,” “Cleaner Production in the Sugar Industry: Agro-Recycling of Wastewaters as Fertilizer for Sugarcane," and "Energy Efficiency and Conservation."
Traditionally, more than 1,000 sugarcane industry stakeholders from the Philippines and from other sugarcane-producing countries regularly attend the event.
Sugar millers, ethanol distillers, biopower generators, farmers, traders, suppliers and service providers convene to exchange innovative ideas and the latest technological advances in the sugarcane industry.
Product exhibitors for agricultural and industrial equipment and technologies also showcase their latest offerings during the event.
For more information on registration procedures and schedule of events, interested parties may contact the Philsutech Secretariat thru telephone number (034) 434 8127 or email philsutech@gmail.com. (PR)