January 6, 2016
Visayan Daily Star | http://goo.gl/umeRxF
The Visayas leg of the Roadshow of the Sugarcane Industry's Inclusive Plans and Projects for the Sugarcane Mill Districts was conducted yesterday by the Sugar Regulatory Administration in Bacolod City, a press release from SRA said.
SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin urged representatives from the various Mill District Development Councils, as well as the planters associations, sugar mills, and block farms, to be engaged, emphasizing that their role will be crucial.
Without the MDDCs, these will not proceed, stressed Martin, referring to the plans and projects laid down by Republic Act 10659, or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015.
Martin pointed out that the MDDCs will be the network of the sugar industry stakeholders with whom they can work closely. She also reiterated the national government's thrust for inclusive growth for the industry, sustainability of the projects under the SIDA, and its bottoms-up budget policy to achieve this.
Spearheading the discussions and open forum-cum-workshops were lawyer Jesus Barrera, SRA Sugar Board Member representing the millers who tackled the salient provisions of the implementing rules and regulations of SIDA; Rosemarie Gumera, SRA Planning and Policy m anager who talked about SIDA projects; lawyer Johana Jadoc, overall coordinator, Block Farming Project; and SRA legal department chief, Ignacio Santillana, who expounded on the strengthening of the MDDCs.
The SIDA seeks to promote the competitiveness of the sugarcane industry; maximize the utilization of sugarcane resources;and improve the incomes of farmers and farm workers through improved productivity, product diversification, job generation, and increased efficiency of sugar mills, the press release said.
Among its main programs and projects are focused on p roductivity improvement; infrastructures such as farm to mill roads, irrigation and drainage and loading ports; research and development of other products derived from sugar, sugarcane, and their by-products; human resource development; extension services; and financial assistance to farmers.
Also highlighted during the roadshow were the sources of funds for the various identified plans and projects; registration and accreditation of individuals or entities eligible of availing of the funds; preparation of project proposals; project evaluation; the role of SRA; projects implementation; and liquidation of funds, the press release added.*