Hermenegildo Serafica (3rd from left) at a Department of Agriculture meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 18.*
More sugar planters’ groups have joined the call for former Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica to “vacate” his post, while Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said two Negrenses have been recommended to replace him.
However, it appears that Serafica is still recognized as the SRA head.
Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian included Serafica as SRA administrator among those invited to a meeting of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is concurrent agriculture secretary, on Monday, July 18.
Ferrer and Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday that they are hoping Marcos names a Negrense to replace Serafica.
The vice governor said he has nominated two Negrenses who are bright and have a lot of experience in the sugar industry to replace Serafica.
The decision of the president on who the next SRA head will be is being awaited, Ferrer said.
Meanwhile, more sugar planters’ groups joined the call for Serafica to “vacate” his office in lieu of a Memorandum Order issued by the Office of the President for all appointed officials to step down to allow the new administration to place their own team.
Luzon Federation president Arnel Toreja in a press statement on Monday echoed the calls of other planters’ federations for Serafica to “heed and respect the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.”
“Tama na, better for you (Serafica) to vacate,” Toreja said, adding that “for the sake of the unification, not only of the sugar industry but of our country, please step down.”
Toreja also raised the alarm that Serafica might be after something. “Why is he refusing to leave the office? Is this a question of interest or mere greed for power?” Toreja asked
He said their group is respecting and will take their cue from OIC Ignacio Santillana as the rightful caretaker of SRA while waiting for the official appointment of the new administrator.
“Let us respect the order of the President. Let us give value to the agency for the sake of the sugar industry as a whole,” Toreja said.
He also hopes that Marcos will appoint “someone who has malasakit for the industry and for our country.”
Luzonfed accounts for 70 percent of sugar producers in Luzon, mostly situated in Batangas who produce about nine percent of the country’s sugar.
The officers and members of the Associacion de Agricultores de la Carlota y Pontevedra Inc. (AALCPI) and the La Carlota Mill District Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LCMDMPC), are also calling on Serafica to respect the directive of Marcos for all appointed officials to vacate their posts as stated in his Memorandum Order No. 1.
“We are urging Mr. Serafica to follow the rule of law and allow President Marcos a free hand to have a clean slate and appoint his own team. This is crucial at this time when we need a fresh start amidst the agricultural crisis we are in”, the two groups said.
“If indeed Mr. Serafica has the best interest of the sugar industry in his heart, he must graciously leave the office and allow the new administration to appoint whom they believe is best suited for the position,” they added.
The appeal was signed by Roberto Cuenca, AALCPI president, Florencio Alonso Sr., LCMDMPC chairman, and David Alba, AALCPI and LCMDMPC general manager.*
