By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer yesterday thanked sugar millers in the province for reopening ahead of the usual milling season with hopes that the scarcity of sugar in the country will now be addressed.

“I made that appeal a couple of months ago when there were rumors of perceived sugar shortage in the country. And I am very much appreciative that our sugar mills responded favorably,” Ferrer said.

“With this, we hope we have contributed to resolving supply issues and in turn, we will also be seeing growth in our local economy,” he added.

The early start of the milling season is also going to be “beneficial” to our sugar farmers as it coincides with the reopening of the school year and “they have one less problem with additional expenses especially since some schools are now going to conduct face-to-face classes.”

Ferrer said those that have already announced they are reopening were First Farmers, Hawaiian Philippines Company, Victorias Milling Company, URC La Carlota, and Sagay Central./DGB, WDJ