House probe on sugar import liberalization set next week

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya said a House inquiry on the planned sugar import liberalization of the government will be conducted when Congress resumes its session next week.

The inquiry will also include the failure of the SRA to fully implement the Sugar Industry Development Act.

Gasataya and Visayan bloc congress members have passed a resolution against sugar import liberalization.

The Bacolod solon earlier joined first district Rep. Gerardo Valmayor in a forum with other sugar industry stakeholders calling on the government to stop the planned import liberalization. They also asked Sugar Regulatory Administrator Hermenegeldo Serafica to make a stand on the issue.

Luzon Federation of Sugar Planters president Arnel Toreja even called for Serafica’s resignation.

Gasataya said the call against sugar import liberalization has snowballed.

Aside from Tatak Kalamay, an umbrella organization of sugar industry stakeholders spearheading the move, other organizations have echoed the call.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City Council have passed resolutions asking President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to scuttle the move.

Hinigaran town Mayor Nadie Arceo, president of a planters’ group who was also in the forum, said the League of Municipalities in Negros Occidental has passed a resolution against import liberalization.