By CESAR JOLITO III
The Negros Occidental provincial government has expressed full support for the proposed “Purchase and Park Program” as a response to the current surplus in sugar stocks, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to protect the local industry.
In an official statement, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson underscored the province’s reliance on the sugar sector, noting that it remains a critical source of livelihood for thousands of Negrense farmers, laborers and their families.
Lacson said the provincial government is in agreement with the proposed measure, which aims to stabilize sugar prices by managing excess supply.
He also expressed hope that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. will approve the proposal to ensure its swift implementation.
“We likewise urge swift action to help stabilize prices, protect our producers, and ensure the continued vitality of an industry that is central to our economy and identity,” Lacson said in a statement.
The governor stressed that timely government action is essential to cushion producers from further economic strain and to maintain the stability of an industry deeply tied to the province’s economy and identity as the country’s “Sugar Capital.”
Amid the ongoing challenges, Lacson also called on landowners to assist farm workers by allowing them to cultivate food crops on available land.
He described this as a temporary but practical measure to help ensure food security for affected communities while solutions to the sugar surplus are being finalized.
“In this time of challenge, shared responsibility and compassion will go a long way in sustaining our communities,” Lacson said.
Earlier, Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr., president of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations, called for urgent action on a proposed government-led buying program aimed at stabilizing declining prices and addressing a growing oversupply in the market.
The proposal seeks to implement “Purchase and Park Program” that would allow the government to buy excess sugar stocks and temporarily withdraw them from circulation.
Industry stakeholders attribute the surplus largely to excessive importation of refined sugar, which has driven down mill gate prices and placed financial strain on local producers./CJ, WDJ