ABBY BINAY: DON’T IMPORT SUGAR DURING HARVEST SEASON
DUMAGUETE CITY — SENATORIAL candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Thursday said government should set a clear-cut policy to stop importing sugar during the harvest season.
In a press conference here, Binay said such a policy would help sugar workers and the industry.
“So let us make a clear policy. Kapag panahon ng ani, kapag panahon ng harvest, no importation. That has to be clearly in black and white, at panghawakan ‘yon ng farmers natin,” she said.
Binay said only 20 per cent of the country’s sugar supply is imported while 80 per cent is locally sourced. There is a big potential for the country to become a major producer of sugar if policies are put in place to encourage investors to build modern sugar mills. This will also help bring down the price of sugar in the market.
“I think we also need to have an environment that is conducive for private investors to come in, bring in their money. Sila po ang magtayo ng magandang milling para bumaba po ang presyo ng sugar,” Binay said.
Binay also pointed out the economic benefits of achieving self-sufficiency in sugar production.
“Imagine if we become 100 per cent reliant on local produce, and we can even export our sugar, ang laki po ng tulong nito sa ekonomiya ng Negros,” Binay said.
On Wednesday, Binay met with officers and members of the Asociacion Agricola de Bais Y Tanjay Inc. where they discussed issues facing the sugar industry.
Binay is in Dumaguete for the Proclamation Rally of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas.
