Business

Lilian Sembrano of KNETCO, John Rey Sarona - UNDOC-PISTON, Jessie Lobaton - VILMACTODA, Berlita Ante - BAYAN Negros and Vincent Fernandez - PAMALAKAYA Negros (l-r) at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to announce the staging of the strike.*Drivers and operators of traditional jeepneys and other transport groups are staging a strike in Bacolod City from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26, as part of a nationwide protest to demand government action versus rising fuel prices brought on by unrest in the Middle East.Leading the strike in Bacolod are the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (UNDOC PISTON) and the Kabacod Negros Transport Organization (KNETCO).Four rally centers will be set up near the Tay...

Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Member David Andrew Sanson*Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Member David Andrew Sanson on Wednesday, March 25, said he is appealing to all sugar mills nationwide to increase the trucking allowance for sugar farmers in light of the rising fuel costs due to the conflict in the Middle East.Sanson, planters representative on the Sugar Board, in his letter to the mills sought an “increase in trucking allowance and other measures to augment government relief efforts in addressing the sudden and steep surge of fuel prices due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East”.In Negros Island, which produces more than 60 percent of the country’s sugar, diesel prices have breached P120 per liter in most areas that has “significantly incr...

NACUSIP national president Roland C. de la Cruz*The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines strongly supports the proposal of Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo (Neg. Occ., 5th Disteict) to increase the country’s ethanol blend from E10 (10 percent) to E15 (15 percent), NACUSIP national president Roland C. de la Cruz said Wednesday, March 25..“From the standpoint of the labor sector, this policy shift is not just an energy measure, it is a lifeline for thousands of sugar workers, mill employees, and bioethanol plant personnel whose livelihoods depend on a stable and expanding industry,” de la Cruz said in a press release.Raising the blend to E15 will significantly boost demand for locally produced bioethanol, direc...

Tricycle drivers in the  3rd District of Negros Occidental will receive fuel subsidies on April 8, while in  Sagay City  temporary fare hikes will be implemented. Rep. Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District)  announced the distribution of a ₱5,000 fuel subsidy for all tricycle drivers, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  The simultaneous payout is scheduled for April 8 in Victorias City, EB Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City, and Murcia, he said. “Our tricycle drivers are vital to every community, you are the ones who keep our district moving,” Benitez said,  emphasizing that the aid is specifically designed to support their livelihood.  Meanwhile, the Sagay  City government under Resolution No. 2...

The National Federation of Sugarcane Planters is opposing the proposed amendments to the Biofuels Law, which will allow the temporary suspension of the mandated biofuels blend of bioethanol and biodiesel in fuels, if a certain price trigger point is reached, NFSP president Enrique D. Rojas, president said Tuesday, March 24.Under Senate Bill No. 1635, the President may suspend the implementation of the mandatory biofuels blend for a period not more than one year, if the price of the blended fuel exceeds by more than 5 percent of the price of pure gasoline or pure diesel.“The proposed amendment is anchored on the volatility of fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East war, which shows no sign of de-escalation in the near future. While we understand the temporary price-based concer...

Mayor Greg Gasataya meeting with the members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association Tuesday afternoon.*BCCO photoMayor Greg Gasataya gathered members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) lobby Tuesday afternoon, March 24, to discuss the application process for a fuel subsidy amid rising fuel prices affecting all drivers.“We requested this meeting to compile a comprehensive database and to have all TODA presidents verify their members’ lists. The DSWD has provided guidelines on how to apply for the fuel subsidy,” Gasataya explained.He stressed the importance of submitting a complete and verified list of members to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) before the deadline, as this is c...

Rice farmers in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.* Ronnie Baldonado file photoThe Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday, March 24, announced the possible release of the P10 billion Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) to registered farmers and fishers starting April 6.Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed the timeline during the Senate committee hearing on the Proactive Response and Oversight for Timely and Effective Crisis Strategy (PROTECT) amid surging fuel prices due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.Tiu Laurel said they are eyeing to start releasing the PAFF after the Holy Week, following the commitment of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)."Hopefully by the week of April 6. We are just waiting for the SARO (S...

The protesting drivers in Bacolod City on Monday.* Romeo Subaldo  photo  Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya assured protesting public transportation drivers on Monday, March 23, that he will raise their call for the equitable distribution of aid to all—amid soaring fuel prices—before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in order to find solutions. The drivers held a protest near the flyover at Barangay Bata in Bacolod City and a caravan to the Bacolod City Government Center, where their leaders held a dialog with Gasataya to air their grievances and seek his help. The Monday morning protest failed to totally cripple public transportation in Bacolod City, as modern and some traditional jeepneys...

The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod is urging the national government to accelerate the development and implementation of renewable and alternative energy programs in response to rising global oil prices, Councilor Caesar Distrito said on Monday, March 23.The SP resolution, authored by Distrito, cites the country’s continued dependence on imported oil, which exposes the Philippine economy to external shocks, particularly amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global fuel supply.“Fuel price volatility directly impacts the daily lives of our people, from higher transportation fares to increased food and commodity prices. This is a systemic issue that requires long-term solutions,” Distrito said.The measure calls on the national government, through the Department of Ene...

Transport group leaders announcing the staging of the strike at a press conference on Saturday.*Transport groups are staging a strike Monday, March 23, to demand fair and immediate distribution of government aid to all drivers, and for government measures to bring down fuel prices.The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR), through the Bacolod City Police Office, has activated comprehensive security preparations for the strike, while Mayor Greg Gasataya announced that the city government will provide free rides for stranded passengers.Joining the protest are members of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (UNDOC-PISTON), Bacolod Alliance for Commuters Operators Drivers Negros Island-Manibela (BA...