Business

NACUSIP-TUCP National President Roland de la Cruz*The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP-TUCP) on Friday, March 27, again strongly denounced the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) refusal to release the minutes of the board meeting that approved Sugar Order No. 8, Series of 2024-2025. The order authorized the importation of 424,000 metric tons of refined sugar—a staggering 274,000 MT surplus over the 150,000 MT requested by industry stakeholders, the NACUSIP-TUCP press statement said. This over-importation is widely blamed for the destructive drop in millgate prices, plunging sugar farmers and workers into widespread poverty, debt and injustice, it said. In a letter to NACUSIP-TUCP dated March 20, sent nearly two months after the...

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is urging all barangays, business establishments, and the private sector to adopt energy conservation and efficiency measures in response to the ongoing national energy emergency and prevailing oil crisis. The SP issued the call in a resolution authored by City Councilor Caesar Distrito amid rising fuel prices and increasing electricity costs that continue to place economic pressure on households and businesses. It aligns with national government efforts to promote responsible energy use and mitigate the impact of supply constraints, Distrito said on Friday, March 27. Distrito emphasized the importance of collective action at the local level, noting that energy conservation is not only a national concern but a shared responsibility across all sectors of s...

CJ Jalandoni of KNETCO explains the P13 fare rate* Richard Caballero Jr. photoA transportation strike that failed to fully cripple public transportation in Bacolod City ended before noon on Thursday, March 26, with organizers saying they successfully aired their demands for government action versus rising fuel prices.Approximately 500 drivers and operators gathered at four rally centers to protest the high costs brought on by unrest in the Middle East, Eric Bendoy, secretary general of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (UNDOC PISTON), said.Although the one-day strike began at 7 a.m. with a planned 5 p.m. finish, they dispersed at 11 a.m. following a police appeal, citing their lack of a permit to stage the...

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...