By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company (BISCOM) chief executive officer Jose Marie Chan said he is planning to meet with leaders of the Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP), following their threats to boycott Pepsi-Cola products.
Based on a local radio report aired yesterday, Chan said he decided to return to Negros after learning of the issue, pointing out BISCOM is the primary supplier of sugar to Pepsi-Cola’s facility in Bacolod City.
The calls for a boycott stemmed from SAP leader Manuel Lamata, of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (Unifed), who accused the beverage giant of using high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) instead of locally-produced sugar.
He also put out an ultimatum to Pepsi-Cola, instructing them to “buy local sugar immediately or face a boycott of all their products.”
Earlier this week, the Unifed chief also declared, “[Pepsi] is not innocent, and they are clearly also using HFCS.”
The claim, however, contradicted statements by acting Provincial Administrator Lucille Gelvolea, who pointed out back in April, during this year’s Panaad sa Negros Festival, that Pepsi submitted certification indicating they do not use HFCS in their products./WDJ