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The United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) is calling for emergency cloud seeding operations to save sugarcane crops from worsening dry conditions brought on by the onset of El Nino.In letters to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, UNIFED President Manuel Lamata emphasized the "urgent need" for government intervention to prevent a productivity crisis.“The lack of sufficient rainfall is adversely affecting crop growth, reducing yield potential, and increasing the risk of substantial economic losses”, Lamata said on Thursday, April 9.Lamata said without any intervention the sugar industry, particularly the livelihood of hundre...

UNIFED chairman Manuel Lamata*The United Sugar Producers’ Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) on Thursday, April 9, said it is strongly opposing the proposed increase in real property tax in Negros Occidental.“Any increase at the moment is going to be counterproductive and will do more harm to an already suffering nation,” UNIFED said.UNIFED, in a board resolution, urged provincial government officials to reconsider and defer any such increase until economic conditions stabilize and the financial capacity of their constituents improves.The resolution was issued after the provincial government of Negros Occidental issued an advisory reminding the public of the Proposed Schedule of Market Values (SMV) for all real properties in compliance with Republic Act No. 12001, o...

Ronnie Baldonado file photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government fully supports the proposed “Purchase and Park” program to address the current surplus in sugar stocks, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday, April 8.The proposed government-led buying program, also known as the “Purchase and Park Program”, is contained in a manifesto signed by leaders of all sugar federations, millers and refiners, labor, agrarian reform beneficiaries and allied non-government organizations pending before the Office of President.“As the sugar capital of the Philippines, our province recognizes the vital role of the sugar industry in sustaining the livelihood of thousands of Negrense farmers, workers, and their families,” Lacson said.“We stand in agreement with this timely ...

Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez*Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he supports postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) for six months to enable government to redirect funds to address the ongoing fuel crisis.The ₱13 billion to ₱14 billion currently earmarked for the elections could instead be utilized for urgent financial assistance, Benitez said on Wednesday, April 8.The elections are scheduled for November 2 and any postponement would require new legislation, he said."Government should be prepared for a worst-case scenario by readying all available funds to respond effectively," Benitez said.However, Benitez acknowledged a potential legal hurdle: the Supreme Court might deem a...

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson* The two-week ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran that saw the first ships pass through Strait of Hormuz is a good sign, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Wednesday, April 8.“I would like to think prayers of Filipinos contributed to the ceasefire,” he said.Lacson is calling for continued prayers for a permanent resolution of the conflict.Even if the violence ends it may take a long time before fuel prices return to normal, he said.Prices will not drop as fast as they went up, he said, citing the war’s damage to refineries in the Middle East.Meanwhile, Lacson said he is considering issuing an executive order that will ban non-essential travel in the provincial government.But even wit...

Deputy House Speaker and Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez during the distribution of biodiesel to fishermen at Barangay Singcang on Wednesday.*Dolly Yasa photoDeputy House Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez on Wednesday, April 8, called on more business establishments to join the biodiesel program by donating their used cooking oil to help alleviate the plight of fisherfolk and farmers.The program initiated by Benitez produces biodiesel from used cooking oil sourced from restaurants and fast-food chains in Bacolod.The biodiesel is used by fisherfolk to run their bancas, and by farmers for farm equipment, Benitez said.Benitez distributed 600 liters of biodiesel to fisherfolk from barangays 1, 2, Banago and Singcang in Bacolod City on Wednesday, Councilor Caesar ...

A Cadiz City  team composed of the police, Coast Guard, Bantay Dagat and Agriculture Office personnel inspect the fish at the landing site at Brgy. Zone 6 on  Tuesday to ensure that they are safe for consumption.*Agriculture Office photo Cadiz City, Hinigaran, and La Castellana officials in Negros Occidental on Tuesday, April 7, advised their constituents to temporarily avoid eating fish locally known as “aloy” or “tulingan” following confirmed cases of allergic reactions.Mayor Salvador Escalante said there were about 77 Cadiz residents hit with allergies after consuming aloy fish on Monday.Three cases each were reported in Hinigaran and La Castellana.Escalante said residents who consumed the fish experienced dizziness, vomiting, rashes, itching, flushing and breathing diff...

Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and DSSD Head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga announced the three-day payout at a press conference at the Bacolod City Government Center on Tuesday.*Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that the Bacolod City government will conduct a three-day payout of fuel assistance for 9,617 tricycle drivers from Wednesday to Friday, April 8 to 10.In coordination with the City Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD),the four venues designated for the distribution are the Bacolod City College Activity Center, Bacolod City National High School Arts Center, SM City Bacolod, and Ayala Malls Capitol Central.A help desk will also be available at the Bacolod City Government Center to address inquiries.Each qualified beneficiary will receive ₱5,000 in fuel assist...

Overall industry productivity could drop precipitously in Crop Year 2026-2007 if farmers reduce their planted hectarage now, Valderrama said.*Ronnie Baldonado file photoSugar industry stakeholders are hoping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will approve a proposed government-led sugar buying program soon to address the problem of oversupply.They were informed that Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. has endorsed the proposal of the sugar industry stakeholders to President Marcos, Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr., president of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Association (CONFED), said in a press statement on Tuesday, April 7.“We are hopeful that because Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Azcona has assured me that DA Sec. Tiu-Laurel has submitted our manifesto to Ma...

Rising costs of fuel did not deter tourists from going to the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia on Holy Week.*Rising fuel prices failed to deter Negrenses and tourists who flocked to the Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia and the beaches of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental, for the Holy Week break.The Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary in Murcia, Negros Occidental, had close to 7,000 guests from Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said on Monday, April 6.The bulk of the guests, 2,416, visited on Easter Sunday. The resort was so full some guests picnicked under trees for shades as all the picnic huts were occupied, Diaz said.The resort’s guests on Maunday Thursday were 1,420 , Good Friday - 1,377...