By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday issued a reminder to motorists in the province to drive safely as the milling season is expected to resume this month.

Lacson is currently reviewing the provincial government’s safety measures for motorists that are imposed by a task force during the milling season.

The governor reminded cane truck drivers that they should not go beyond their load limit and they should not park their vehicles on the side of the road without the appropriate warning devices.

Those driving personal cars or motorcycles, meanwhile, were told to be extra careful, especially during times of heavy rains or during the late evening hours.

As of yesterday, several sugar centrals in the province have already announced that they are resuming milling operations on August 15.

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer had earlier urged various sugar refineries in the province to restart their operations early due to an impending shortage of sugar.

David Alba, general manager of the Asociación de Agricultores de La Carlota y Pontevedra, said Victorias Milling Co., Universal Robina Corp. La Carlota and the Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Co. are all willing to reopen and mill early once raw sugar is available./DGB, WDJ