19 October 2014
Manila Bulletin
Sugar producer Roxas Holdings, Inc. has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to spur research and development initiatives in the sugar industry, with endowment fund of P7.5 million to finance researches.
RHI Chairman Pedro E. Roxas said the collaboration signifies the commitment of the sugar group, through its subsidiary Central Azucarera Don Pedro, Inc. (CADPI), to improve the situation of the sugar industry, in partnership with UPLB.
“We are optimistic that this partnership will boost efforts to transform the Philippine sugar industry, starting with RHI’s CADPI, into a world-class sector and enable us to survive the scenario that comes with the reduction of tariff on sugar to 5 percent in 2015,” Roxas said.
[caption id="attachment_197556" align="aligncenter" width="720"] AGREEMENT ON RESEARCH – Shown at the signing of the memorandum of agreement are (from left, seated): RHI Marketing and Trading EVP & Research Group Head and CACI COO Archimedes B. Amarra; CADPI COO & RHI Operations EVP Arcadio S. Lozada Jr.; UPLB Chancellor, Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz’ and UPLB Engineering & Agro-Tech Dean, Dr. Arnold Elepaño. Standing are: RHI Chairman Pedro E. Roxas (fifth from left) and RHI Chief Executive Officer Renato C. Valencia (fifth from right) flanked by other officers from RHI and UPLB.[/caption]
RHI president Renato C. Valencia said that although Philippine mills and refineries are relatively smaller and older, the country is not far behind Thailand in milling and refining costs.
“Where we lag behind is in farm productivity: Thailand averages 70 tons per hectare while the Philippines, 60. This scenario prompted RHI to be proactive in helping increase sugar cane farm productivity through R&D tie-ups,” Valencia said.
Central Azucarera de la Carlota president Archimedes B. Amarra said R&D continues to be a challenge in the Philippines, causing the country to lag behind its competitors in terms of sugarcane varieties and farm processes.
“We hope to increase productivity and explore the other potentials of sugar cane with our partnership with UPLB,” he said.
UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz, expressed gratitude to RHI for forging the alliance. He is confident that the collaboration will introduce significant changes in the sugar industry.
“We are optimistic that our partnership with RHI, which has the competence and facilities, will enable us to make a difference in a short time,” Cruz said.
The collaboration of RHI with UPLB through CADPI is part of the company’s mission to bring out the full potential of the industries it serves.