Members of the Negros Occidental delegation to the House of Representatives came out against the Department of Finance’s proposal recommending sugar liberalization, or the deregulation of sugar importation, with Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano claiming such a move would cause “unrest.”
“Sugar liberalization will further hinder the growth of small farms and could aggravate
the brewing peasant unrest in some parts of Negros,” he insisted. “We cannot and will not allow more suffering.”
“Negros, in particular, is reeling from the pains of the industry struggling to modernize,” the lawmaker added. “The economic viability of small sugar farms, cultivated by beneficiaries of
agrarian reform, remain tenuous because of the insufficiency and inefficiency of
government support.”
At least 23 lawmakers have signed House Resolution 412, which opposes sugar liberalization.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental third district Rep. Francisco Benitez, who serves as vice chair for the Committee on Agriculture and Food, said he will seek a congressional inquiry on implementing government programs to assist sugar farmers./WDJ