Making sugar sweeter
Bobby Sabino happily receiving his
Recognition Award presented by
Governor Joe Zubiri and Bob Cuenca.
Makati's Central Business District must have turned a bit sweeter last Sept. 17, 2008, when sugar planters from various cities in the country marched into the Intercontinental Hotel to elect Negrense Federico "Cocoy" Locsin as President of the Confederation of Sugar Producers' Association Inc. (CONFED). Cocoy is from Silay City, Negros Occidental and he succeeds Governor Jose Maria R. Zubiri of Bukidnon.
CONFED is the largest federation of sugar planters in the Philippines, whose role is to promote advocacies of its planter members. It aims to promote best practices and sustainable sugarcane production programs and works closely with the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
Nene Trebol, Sendo Lopez, and
Administrator Lito Coscolluela.
The event was well represented by sugar planters from Tuguegarao, Pampanga, Cagayan Valley, Davao, and Negros. Prior to this national stint, Cocoy was Chairman of CONFED's Negros-Panay Chapter.
Another significant event of the day was the oath taking of another Negrense, Jose Luis Tongoy, as Board Member of the Sugar Board of the Sugar Regulatory Administration. Luis represents the voice of the sugar planters and he also addresses sugar policy issues. Luis is from Bacolod City and was Vice-Chairman of CONFED's Negros-Panay Chapter. The other Board Member already sitting in the Board is Archie Amarra.
The day's special guest was SRA Administrator Rafael "Lito" Coscolluela, who discussed various programs for the coming milling season. There was also an open forum. Recognition awards were given to sugar planters for their invaluable service to the industry.
Gov Joe Zubiri of Bukidnon, Vice Gov
Marcelino Aganon of Tarlac, Cocoy
Locsin, and SRA Administrator
Lito Coscolluela.
But of course, all that business talk could tire everyone out. So, the day ended with the Negrense planters having a fellowship with the planters from Tarlac, Pampanga, and Cagayan Valley…together with the new President and SRA's new Board Member. It's a sweet welcome for the two new stalwarts of the sugar industry.