SRA vows to maximize aid for sugar planters in Western Visayas

LA CARLOTA CITY, Negros Occidental — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) on Saturday turned over farm equipment to sugar planters in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, aiming to boost yield and maintain sustainability.

Among the equipment turned over to Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) block farms at the SRA-LAREC Compound were farm implements, including dump trucks, the engines of which were started later in the program.

SRA chief Pablo Luiz Azcona pledged to maximize government support for local sugar farmers, emphasizing the importance of providing essential resources to aid their livelihood.

“It is our goal in SRA, the new SRA board since 2022… ang target namin talaga ay to max out whatever ang kaya ng SRA na ipamigay sa lahat ng farmers. Wala kaming intention to save, just as long as makaya ng SRA we will give it out (It is our goal in the SRA, since the new board took office in 2022... our target is really to maximize whatever the SRA can give to all the farmers. We have no intention of saving; as long as the SRA can manage, we will give it out),” he said, ensuring that all materials distributed are of top quality, with branded tractors and well-made equipment.

“Speaking from the heart of the SRA board, we are very happy and very proud to provide our farmers with the best possible equipment that our government can afford,” Azcona added.

Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority's Major Non-Food and Industrial Crops Quarterly Bulletin for April to June 2023, Western Visayas remains the top sugarcane-producing region, followed by Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas.