NI NOEL ABUEL
Sinisiguro ni San Jose del Monte Rep. Florida Robes na kakausapin nito ang bagong uupong pinuno ng Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Board para hilingin na ibalik ang kanilang ahensya sa orihinal nitong mandato na protektahan ang publiko at ang mga sugar planters.
Sa inilabas nitong pahayag, sinabi ni Rep. Robes na batay sa kamakailan na pagdinig House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability na pinamumunuan nito at ng House Committee on Agriculture na pinamunuan ni Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga (1st District), napansin ng ilang kongresista na ang SRA sa mga nakalipas na taon ay lumilihis sa sugar importation na wala sa mandato nito.
“What we have learned in so far as the recent sugar importations was the lack of consultation with sugar farmers and other stakeholders as well as the lack of transparency in dealing with the sugar importation…Parang sila-sila lang ang nag-uusap,” sabi ni Robes.
“Usec Leocadio Sebastian apparently misread the mind of Pres. Marcos and jumped the gun on the importation by circulating SO4 and signed in behalf of the Agriculture Secretary. As for resigned SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, he did not consult the board with regard to SO4 and merely circulated a Board Resolution without consulting his technical staff,” dagdag nito.
Sinabi pa ng kongresista na ang dalawang komite ang magsasagawa ng mas malalim sa nasabing kontrobersiya na mag-uugnay sa ilang opisyal ng SRA na nakikipagsabwatan sa mga tiwaling negosyante na nagtatago at gumagamit ng recycled import permits para makapag-import ng asukal.
“I was told that in Tarlac and Pampanga, two major sugar producers in Luzon, small planters have already stopped planting sugarcane owing to the lack of government intervention, and have resorted to planting other crops. It is sad to say that major agricultural areas have also been converted into industrial, commercial and even residential, gated communities despite the fact that these lands sit on and near irrigation canals,” ayon pa kay Robes.
Sa darating na Huwebes, isasagawa mula ng dalawang komite ang imbestigasyon sa nabunyag na sugar importation sa ilalim ng SO4.
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