Summit focuses on Negros sugar industry’s survival

BACOLOD CITY – Industry stakeholders in Negros Occidental approved 21 resolutions to ensure the survival of the sugar industry and prevent it from becoming a “sunset industry.”

The resolutions were approved during the “Sugar and More Negros Summit” last week in Bacolod.

The summit was attended by representatives from the Negros sugar sector, private business organizations, government agencies and local government units in the province.

Former Governor Rafael Coscolluela said he hopes the resolutions will move Negros from being a one-crop economy.

Coscolluela, who is now the provincial consultant on investments, promotion and trade, said the 21 resolutions will be submitted to concerned agencies for action, with most of them to be passed on to the industry’s lead agency, the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

He stressed the need to reactivate the Sugar Industry Development Council to harmonize all the initiatives of different stakeholders towards boosting the industry.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon proposed a unified roadmap to boost the sugar industry and at the same time push for alternative industries.

“The Sugar and More Negros Summit heralds the beginning of a New Negros, no longer willing to take the ‘business-as-usual’ route, but now ready to chart a new course towards a diversified and robust economy,” Coscolluela said.

“We have a long climb ahead of us, and the biggest challenge will be in getting everyone on board,” he added.

Among the resolutions passed were the measures from the House of Representatives to revive the Alternative Ventures Agreement (AVA) bill to encourage consolidation of lands, the opposition to excise taxes on fuels and sugar sweetened beverages, and a lobby for enforcement of anti-GMO Ordinance to fight High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Stakeholders also urged the Department of Budget and Finance provide allocation for the Sugar Industry Development Act to make it more stabilized.

A provincial ordinance creating a Negros First Development Corporation or Authority to serve as an investment catalyst was also recommended, along with industry reform measures like rationalization studies on transport systems, establishment of mill standards and fund allocation for product extension and diversification.