Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday described the Rice Tariffication Law as “anti-farmer and pro-importer” and called on local farmers to “strive for better productivity.”

“Producers of imported rice are not expensive because they have the support of their respective governments,” he added. “Here, we lack that support.”

The Rice Tariffication Law reduces restrictions on the importation of rice.

Meanwhile, the governor is also hopeful the proposed deregulation of sugar will not be approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Leaders of the sugar industry should lobby the president to stop the move to deregulate the sugar industry,” Marañon said./DGB, WDJ