CEBU CITY, Cebu (August 19, 2026)—Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has underscored the vital role of the Philippine Sugar Technologists Association (PhilSuTech) in helping the sugarcane industry turn science and innovation into higher productivity, better incomes, and greater resilience.

Speaking at the 72nd PhilSuTech Annual National Convention here, Tiu Laurel said the association’s expertise will be increasingly important as the industry confronts rising production costs, labor shortages, limited access to technology and financing, climate change, and the spread of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI). ### (Photos by Darrel Gultia, DA-OSEC Comms)