Feature: The Lady is a Sugar Planter of Note

Sometime in our life, we will meet someone, who, at first may not immediately impress us, however, as we get to know that person better and know what makes

that person, we will learn to respect that individual and even finally admire him or her because of their attributes and accomplishments.

Ms. Gina B. Martin Administrator Sugar Regulatory Administration

That is what happened to me when I first heard that Mrs. Gina Bautista Martin had been appointed Administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

This is the way to say I am apologizing for my instant judgment without first getting to know the real person in Mrs. Gina B. Martin. I even became more impressed about her and her accomplishments when I paid a visit to her sugar farm, at least one of them, Hda. Chiquita situated in the town of E.B. Magalona which to our mind is one of the progressive farms in the country! Hda. Chiquita is not only progressive, but is also managed effectively by her.

According to her farm overseer and head of the farm’s composting plant, prior to her appointment to SRA, she was a hands-on manager of the farm. Today, she is one of the foremost exponents of organic farming, using fertilizer which is being produced extensively in the farm.

The organic fertilizer is composed of mud press, chicken manure, decayed sugar leaves as well as other ingredients that had made the farm very productive. According to her overseer, they are producing some 100 tons per hectare with a 2.2 or over PSTC.

After visiting some of her sugar areas in the farm, we concluded that she must have learned valuable lessons on sugar farming from her late father and not stopping there, but on her own, further improved the productivity of the farm.

Altogether, she is now working on the continuing productivity of some 380 hectares of sugar farms located in Silay City, the town of E.B. Magalona and the City of Silay. Using organic fertilizers, she has effectively rejuvenated their soils while becoming environment-friendly.

What further impressed us about her is her excellent relations with her staff and the farm laborers.

She also maintains an open mind and is always willing and eager to learn about new technologies on sugar production.

The lady, Mrs. Gina Bautista Martin is an excellent sugar planter and SRA administrator and you had better believe it!*