Speaker pledges to help workers affected by sugar mill closure
HOUSE Speaker Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday vowed to help at least 12,000 sugarcane farm workers in Nasugbu, Batangas, who were displaced by the sudden closure of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc.’s (CADPI) sugar mill.
Romualdez said he would look into the plight of the sugarcane farm workers after he met with the leaders of various groups and organizations representing the workers affected by the CADPI sugar mill closure.
hez met with Sugar Folks Unity for Genuine Agricultural Reform Spokesman Christian Bearo, Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Tubuhan (Pamatu) Batangas First District President Nasiancino Roxas, among other groups.
“Kailangan nating mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mga magsasaka sa tubuhan at matiyak ang sapat na suplay ng asukal. I thank our farmers for working tirelessly for our nation,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“Thank you (farmers) for your dedication in helping the government attain its plan for food security. We are inspired by your great contribution.”
The Office of the house Speaker said Romualdez called Batangas Gov. hermilando Mandanas and Batangas Rep. eric Buhain “to discuss possible solutions” on the implications of the CADPI sugar mill closure while the sugar farm worker leaders were listening.
Among those present during the meeting were house Majority Leader Manuel Jose M. Dalipe, house Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Party-list France L. Castro, former Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sara elago, and others.
The Businessmirror earlier broke the story that sugar planters have raised concerns about the permanent closure of the CADPI sugar mill (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/16/cadpi-milling-ops-closure-has-sugar-plantersworried/).
Government officials said the sudden closure of CADPI sugar mill would have an impact on the country’s overall raw sugar output in the current crop year 2022-2023 (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2023/02/14/sra-lowers-sugar-output-forecast-for-current-cropyear-to-1-831-mmt/).