Negrense David John Thaddeus Alba has resigned as administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Malacañang announced on Friday, March 24.
“Upon the directive of the President, his resignation will be effective on April 15 to prepare the appointment of his replacement,” it said.
Alba visited Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Wednesday informing him of his decision to resign, the announcement said.
Bersamin tried to persuade him not to, but Alba cited his worsening health condition, it said.
Alba could not be reached for comment but industry sources said he submitted his resignation letter earlier than Wednesday.
He is the second SRA administrator to resign under the Marcos administration, the first being Hermenegildo Serafica who quit last year.
The Marcos administration has been faced with sugar importation controversies, the latest of which involves the call by Senator Risa Hontiveros for a Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban’s order that the importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar be coursed through only three “handpicked” traders.
She is also questioning the arrival of imported sugar brought in by one of the three traders prior to the issuance of Sugar Order No. 6 allowing the importation of the 440,000 MT.
“We respect SRA Administrator Dave Alba’s decision to resign and safeguard his health. However, people can’t help wondering if his resignation has something to do with the current sugar importation, which is highly questionable, to say the least,” Enrique Rojas, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters president, said.
“This is the first time that a shipment of imported sugar arrived even before the issuance of the sugar order allowing its importation. This is also the first time that Malacañang directly ordered SRA to release the illegally imported sugar, thereby usurping SRA’s exclusive mandate to regulate the supply of sugar in the country, “he said.
This is also the first time that the Department of Agriculture, claiming it acted on direct orders from Malacañang, chose only three favored traders to import the sugar, which is in direct contravention to the provisions of Sugar Order No. 6 allowing such sugar importation and stating the process in awarding the volume of importation,” Rojas added.
“Under these circumstances, we laud SRA Administrator Dave Alba’s decision to resign, and thus remove himself from any further involvement in this questionable importation,” he said.
“We are confident that Alba’s resignation will not negatively impact the sugar industry, because, surely, Malacañang will not allow the top post in SRA to remain vacant at this crucial stage of the milling season,” Rojas said.
He said their only hope is that Alba’s replacement will be a person who has a comprehensive knowledge of the sugar industry, is not identified with any vested interests, and is a person of proven honesty and integrity.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said “I wish administrator Alba would overcome whatever health issue he is facing”.
Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District) said “his tenure may have been short but credit the administrator that it was under his watch when our sugar farmers were able to enjoy historical high millgate prices. That enabled our farmers to recoup past years’ losses brought about by high production cost. For this, we are grateful. We wish him good health.”
Manuel Lamata, United Sugar Producers Federation president, said “I am sorry to hear he is resigning but if it’s his health then best take care of that problem first.”
There are rumors that a former military man may be named to head the SRA, sources said.
Stakeholders are hoping the next SRA administrator comes from the sugar industry.*