By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Tatak Kalamay, a group comprised of planters association, agrarian reform groups, labor organizations, and sugar workers, recently released a manifesto seeking intervention and support from the Senate in order to combat high fructose corn syrup importation. Tatak Kalamay convenor and spokesperson Raymond Montinola noted how the national government earlier implemented regulations on the sweetener.
“Subsequent to, and likely, as a result of these moves, leading beverage manufacturers offered to work hand-in-hand with the sugar industry and, among others, committed to buying domestic sugar in support of our local farmers,” he said.
However, Montinola said there are “worrying signs” suggesting widespread use of high fructose corn syrup may return.
The group said they are seeking intervention from their “champions in the Senate” in protecting the agricultural economy, in particular, the sugar industry./DGB, WDJ