Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said on Monday, March 27, that he also prefers that a Negrense be appointed to head the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) following the resignation of Acting Administrator David Alba, which takes effect April 15.
The industry stakeholders have a better sense of who is qualified, he said.
Since Negros produces 60 percent of the country’s sugar it make sense that a Negrense should be at the helm of the SRA, he added.
Benitez, however, said he is not making a recommendation and is leaving it to the appointing authority to make the decision.
Manuel Lamata, United Sugar Producers Federation president, said they are giving the president a free hand on the choice of the next SRA head but are appealing that the person be from Negros.
This will give Negros a voice since it is the biggest producer of sugar in the country, he said.
On talk that he might be appointed to the post, Lamata said he is not interested in such position as he is almost retired.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) also said on Saturday that they hope a Negrense is appointed to head the SRA.*