Major industry groups support Faeldon effort to curb sugar smuggling

The document cited the “audacity and courage” of Faeldon, a newcomer in the bureaucracy, praising his efforts to run after smugglers shortly upon his assumption as head of the bureau in July last year. (Photo: Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon/ Facebook)

MANILA–Seven major groups representing more than 5 million sugar farmers/workers and their dependents across 21 provinces in the country constituting 95 percent of the sugar industry have expressed support to Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon.

In a statement, major stakeholders in the sugar industry has demonstrated their “unwavering support” through a Manifesto of Support and Certificate of Appreciation for the BOC chief’s efforts to curb sugar smuggling.

The manifesto and certificate were signed by Manuel R. Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines, Inc.; Enrique D. Rojas, president of the National Federation of Sugarcane Planters Inc.; and Francis R. de la Rama, president of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association Inc.

Also signatories in the document are Danilo A.

Abelita, president of the Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, Inc.; Francisco D. Varua, executive director of the Philippine Sugar Millers Association, Inc.

; Bernardo C. Trebol, trustee of the Philippine Association of Sugar Refiners, Inc.; and Pablo Lorenzo III, president of Sugar Master Plan Foundation, Inc.

Lamata and Edgardo Lomanog, chief of the anti-sugar smuggling organization, presented the manifesto and certificate to the commissioner during a courtesy call at the BOC office.

The document cited the “audacity and courage” of Faeldon, a newcomer in the bureaucracy, praising his efforts to run after smugglers shortly upon his assumption as head of the bureau in July last year.

“For us in the sugar industry, Commissioner Faeldon has been true to his word,” they said.

“The BOC chief was on hand to prevent the entry of smuggled sugar and apprehend the violators,” the manifesto added.

Earlier, Faeldon required importers of high fructose corn syrup to comply with the regulations of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) despite tremendous pressure to circumvent the law.