To highlight their grave concern over low sugar and molasses prices, sugar farmers and their families, spearheaded by the Jalasig Sugarcane Planters Association, other planters associations and other sugar industry stakeholders in Panay, will hold a rally on Thursday, January 22, at the Passi Public Plaza.
“We are holding this rally to emphasize the severity of our plight. The persistently low mill-gate prices of sugar and molasses have resulted in widespread financial losses to us. These current price levels threaten the survival of farming households and the sustainability of the sugar industry,” Jalasig president Hernando Y. Divinagracia Jr. said in a press release on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
“Unregulated and excessive importation, coupled with the absence of clear, transparent, and institutionalized policies, has severely distorted the market and undermined farmer incomes. We urge government for immediate action to address this distressing situation,” Divinagracia added.
Bingawan Mayor Matt P. Palabrica and his son, Iloilo Provincial Board Member Mark P. Palabrica, Jalasig officers led by Divinagracia, Panay Iloilo Integrated Sugar Planters Association president Tom Varela, officers and members of other planters associations and other prominent personalities are expected to attend the rally.
Divinagracia called on his fellow sugar farmers to join them on Thursday’s gathering, so that they, too, can express their indignation and voice out their call for policies that will ensure equitable prices for their sugar and molasses.
The rally is a prelude to the public hearing called by the House and Senate at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidenta, on Friday.
This congressional exercise is in line with two House resolutions separately filed by Rep. Javier Miguel L. Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) and Rep. Howard A. Guinto (Capiz 1st District_ to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the steep decline in millgate prices of sugar and molasses, and its economic impact on sugar producers, farmers and workers.
“We are preparing a manifesto on the concerns of our sugar farmers, which we will discuss on Thursday’s rally, and then sign and officially present to our honorable congressmen during the public hearing on Friday,” Divinagracia said.*