Batangas Gov. Dodo Mandanas (holding microphone) leads a meeting with sugarcane planters. Photos by Karl Ambida
Dodo holds meeting with Batangas sugarcane planters
BATANGAS CAPITOL – Governor Dodo Mandanas once again convened a meeting for an “immediate” solution to the current problem of Batangas sugarcane planters held here.
At the end of the year 2022, the Central Azucarera Don Pedro, Inc. (CADPI) in Nasugbu, Batangas, one of the largest sugar mills in the Philippines, announced its closing their operations for the 2022-2023 crop year.
Because of this, sugarcane planters have “fears” for their crops this year.
The Batangas Sugarcane Planters’ meeting, led by the provincial governor, shared the steps that the Batangas local government can take to provide a “remedy” to the problems faced by sugar producers.
This follows the mandate of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to the governor to ensure that there will be “no harm to the sugarcane farmers.”
In response, sugarcane that cannot be processed by the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Sugar Mill in Balayan will be transported to Central Azucarera de Tarlac for processing.
The Batangas government will cover transportation expenses from the funds allocated by the national government so that the growers will have no additional costs.
Mandanas assured that the sugarcane planters have “nothing to worry” about because they will continue to communicate with President Marcos Jr. to meet the needs and the long-term solution to this problem.
The discussion was attended by Vice Gov. Mark Leviste; 1st District Board Members Armie Bausas and Junjun Rosales; Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Rodrigo Bautista; Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Cesar Castor Sr.; and other Capitol officials and representatives of Central Azucarera de Tarlac and Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Sugar Mill.
