By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Sugar planters in Negros Occidental remain concerned as to what the sugar industry will face in the coming crop year as composite prices of sugar are still down at P1,200 to P1,250.
Lawyer Emilio Yulo, spokesperson of the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP), in a statement, said they are appealing for a sustained campaign against beverage companies using high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
“Small planters are now crying that they cannot afford inputs for the next crop year. With enrolment ongoing, some can barely afford to send their children to school let alone put food on the table. We call on our congressmen in Negros to lend their support to the industry in the coming congressional hearing,” Yulo said.
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Anac-IP partylist Representative Jose Panganiban Jr. has set an investigation into the unabated importation of HFCS and its impact on the sugar industry on May 16, 1 p.m., at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Bacolod City Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya said.
Gasataya had earlier filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the issue after delivering a privilege speech last February about the effects of HFCS on the sugar industry.
The resolution was signed by 15 congressmen, majority of whom came from sugar-producing provinces.
Yulo added there “should be no letup in our fight; we implore all to continue this battle.”
Wennie Sancho, secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), said “it seems that our fear of an economic disaster and workers displacement in the sugar industry will materialize.”
“The government has to move to prevent this grim scenario,” Sancho said.
He also called on government agencies to hasten the congressional hearing and convene the Sugar Industry Consultative Council that will be composed of representatives from the government, the Sugar Regulatory Administration, and sugar stakeholders.
Earlier, the Senate committees on agriculture, and trade, commerce and entrepreneurship also conducted a similar inquiry.
Among the options proposed during the hearing at the Senate was the consultative council on the sugar industry where stakeholders will discuss issues affecting it./WDJ