Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson was worried over the sharp decline in the prices of sugar, as he warned about dire consequences for local farmers and the local economy.

“It is definitely not good for us,” Lacson said, emphasizing the potential for even efficient farms to struggle, with many merely breaking even at current prices.

He stressed the need for the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to provide explanations, stating that the current price levels are unacceptable.

“Of course, the ideal is P3,000, but definitely not at this price,” Lacson pointed out.

“It should go back to the general average of the last milling crop, P2,700 or P2,800,” he added.

He also noted a recent increase in sugar prices while he acknowledged claims from sugar industry leaders about potential market manipulation by traders.

Lacson also expressed concern for small farmers in rural localities who face significant losses, which could affect their ability to plant in the next crop year.

“Some of them may not plant. Or if others plant, they will just ration with minimum fertilizer,” he said.

“Let us observe in the next couple of weeks if there will be an improvement in the prices,” he urged.

Lacson pointed out that the SRA had already announced a halt to importations until next year.

“Anything that will talk about the sugar price, anything that can bring a solution to the downward price, I will support,” he said.

“We, as a province, know that sugar is still our biggest driver sa economy, so it cannot be that this problem will persist — this problem of low price,” the governor said.

“So whatever is needed to find the solution to bring it back to a comfortable level, I support it,” he added./WDJ