Leaders of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (Negros ACE) met with Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona on Sunday, Dec. 21, to discuss ways to raise millgate sugar prices and aid farmers.
The recent drop in millgate sugar prices is the “utmost concern” of Negros ACE, its president, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, said.
“The welfare of our farmers is our priority, we should not kill the goose that lays the golden egg,” Escalante said.
Escalante, along with Valladolid Mayor Ricardo Presbitero and Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, met with Azcona at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City to air their concerns.
They called on the SRA to find immediate ways to bolster the millgate prices of sugar, particularly during the Christmas season, to provide relief to farmers who are currently suffering from low returns.
Escalante pointed out that 95 percent of those involved in the sugar industry are small-scale farmers who are the most vulnerable to price fluctuations.
The mayors called for the restoration of LandBank of the Philippines crop loans for sugarcane farmers. Escalante explained that access to credit would mean farmers are not forced to sell their quedans (warehouse receipts) immediately when prices are low just to cover their costs.
They also requested the SRA conduct a definitive, actual inventory of the current sugar supply.
Escalante noted that there is conflicting information, with some groups claiming an oversupply while others suggest otherwise. He stressed that an accurate inventory is essential for making sound policy decisions.
He said they also asked Azcona to work toward the government’s release of the full and correct amount due to the industry under the Sugar Industry Development Act,
Azcona said he welcomed the local officials call for a dialog to clarify their concerns.*