SRA Board Member Aurelio Gerardo Valderama Jr. (7th from right), with Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, and directors of CONFED, VICMICO Planters Association, Inc., VICMICO Planters MPC and VICMICO Farmers MPC, during his oath taking rites at the Bacolod City Government Center. Archie Alipalo photo
SUGAR PLANTERS' REP.Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (right) congratulates Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Member Aurelio Valderrama Jr. after administering his oath in rites held at the Government Center on Aug. 6, 2022. They will work for the interest of the greater majority to address the problem in the sugar industry, Valderrama said in a statement on Monday (Aug. 8).(Photo courtesy of Archie Rey Alipalo) BACOLOD CITY -A newly-appointed board member of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) from Negros Occidental is optimistic the sugar supply shortage can be resolved by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the SRA soon. "I'm confident that the DA under President (Ferdinand) Marcos Jr. and the SRA will be able to address the problem in the next two weeks," said Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr., who represents the sugar planters in the board, in a statement on Monday. Tight supply and increase in demand have led to soaring sugar prices, hitting