Business

The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations Inc. (CONFED) on Friday, Oct. 10, issued an urgent call to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for transparency and action on the decline in millgate prices of sugar and molasses.CONFED president Aurelio Gerardo J. Valderrama Jr. in an open letter to SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona expressed concern over the worsening state of the sugar industry, particularly the steep decline in both sugar and molasses prices compared to last year.This has had a severe impact on the livelihoods of planters, millers, and stakeholders across the country, Valderrama said.“Given the recent corruption scandals that have rocked the country, we strongly urge you to act decisively, in full view and with the interest of the people who stand to...

The Bacolod SP session on Wednesday.* Councilor Em Ang FB pageThe Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) is urging the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies and other large private establishments have comprehensive emergency and disaster response plans, in line with the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) under the Labor Code.Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito, author of the SP resolution, said it seeks to protect thousands of workers, particularly in BPOs that operate 24/7, from risks during earthquakes, fires, and other disasters."The safety and well-being of employees should always come first. Companies must have clear, tested, and regularly updated emergency and disaster response plans to safeguard the...

PNA file photoThe National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) is seeking clarification on the importation of 424,000 metric tons of refined sugar, its president Enrique D. Rojas said on Thursday, Oct. 9.“While SRA assures there will be no talks of importation until May or June 2026, SRA somehow failed to mention it has already approved the importation of 424,000 metric tons refined sugar to arrive starting July 15, 2025 and not later than November 30, 2025, under Sugar Order No. 8, Series of 2024-2025,” Rojas said in a press release.Rojas was reacting to SRA’s statement that there will be no talks of sugar importation until May or June next year, and that statements on importation will likely affect sugar prices and destabilize the sugar industry.He reiterated that NFS...

SRA Aministrator Pablo Luis Azcona at the Senate Committee on Finance subcommitte hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 8*Congress is expected to allocate P2.4 billion for the sugar industry in the 2026 national budget, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Wednesday, October 8.Laurel, speaking at a Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee J hearing, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) allocated P1 billion for the industry in the National Expenditure Program for 2026 and the Lower House approved an additional P1.4 billion.If the Senate approves it the industry will be granted P2.4 billion in 2026.Laurel told the senators that the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015 needs amendments for more flexibility in the use the funds approved by Congress ...

Bureau of Customs file photoThe National Federation of Sugarcane Planters (NFSP) is standing firm against any further sugar importation at this stage of the crop year, with its president, Enrique D. Rojas, warning that additional volume would be “suicidal to the sugar industry.”Rojas issued the statement on Tuesday, Oct. 7, while simultaneously condemning a news article in a national newspaper for what he termed as the “malicious use” and misrepresentation of an NFSP statement on importation.He said a national newspaper published an article on October 3 erroneously suggesting that the NFSP deemed importation necessary solely because of crop damage caused by the red-striped soft scale insect.Rojas said that the report made it appear the federation was giving uncondition...

Mae Llamas - PESO Manager, Erel Lim - Regional PESO focal person of DOLE NIR, Mayor Greg, Gasataya and DMW Regional Director Glenda Aligonza cut the ribbon to open the job fair.*Ronnie Baldonado photoA total of 5,282 applicants applied for jobs at the annual MassKara Job Fair at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central Activity Center in Bacolod City on Sunday, October 5.It is the city’s biggest employment event, organized by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO)-Bacolod in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).Of the 5,282 applicants 2,206 were female and 3,076 were male, PESO head Mae Llamas told DIGICAST NEGROS.She said 3,809 applicants qualified, 165 were near hired and 83 were hired on the spot.Mayor Greg Gasataya, who led the opening of the j...

Expect diesel prices to increase on Tuesday, October 7.Diesel prices are forecasted to increase by P0.50 to P0.70 per liter, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said on Saturday, Oct. 4.Gasoline prices will have no change, Unioil added.*