Lawmaker urges unity as sugar prices plunge

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — With sugar prices continuing to fall for several consecutive weeks, Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Emilio Yulo appealed to industry stakeholders to “stop the bickering” and work together to address what he described as a worsening crisis pushing small farmers to the brink.

Yulo called on the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to “institute immediate measures to arrest the downward prices,” stressing that time is running out for producers.

“We want to see better prices by Thursday next week,” he said. “That should be the end game.”

He pointed out that the steep decline in millsite prices is hitting small farmers the hardest after a difficult year marked by calamities, pest infestations, and now severely depressed market prices.

“Our small farmers have suffered more than enough,” Yulo said. “With the way things have been going in the past weeks, they can barely make ends meet.”

The congressman noted that tensions in the industry largely involve millers and big planters — groups with the financial capacity to endure prolonged low prices.

“However, our small farmers don’t have that luxury,” he said. “It is incumbent upon all stakeholders to consider their state and help each other instead of debating.”

Yulo warned that turning to extended policy debates or congressional hearings would only prolong the suffering of farmers.

“Putting this in the hands of policymakers will take longer, as they are fond of debating issues,” he said. “At this point, we cannot afford to wait for their action or inaction.”

“We don’t want cause analysis — we need immediate results,” he added. “And the end game is simple: stop the downward spiral of sugar prices.”

“All we are asking is to allow our small planters to have a merry Christmas,” he said.

United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) President Manuel Lamata echoed Yulo’s concerns, issuing an urgent appeal to Malacañang for intervention to help stabilize the sugar industry.

Lamata said UNIFED’s appeal represents “a simple manifestation of support to your administration on your fight against corruption and promoting good governance,” adding that the industry has strengthened in terms of policy reforms under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, and SRA Pablo Luis Azcona.

“To date, we are very much assured that your administration will support the industry, will protect us and create programs that will help our farmers attain sustainability and be globally competitive, and for that we are very thankful,” he said.

Lamata noted that the sector has endured a succession of hardships this year, including pest outbreaks and destructive calamities that damaged farms and claimed lives, compounding the impact of declining sugar prices.

“While we remain resilient, our efforts are being derailed by very low sugar prices, which are the economic driver of our province and the entire Negros Island,” he said.

He stressed that many small farmers are now “hard-pressed to make ends meet” as prices have dropped below break-even levels.

“It is for this reason that we seek intervention from your office,” he said, appealing for government action to protect the livelihoods of farmers who account for more than 80 percent of the industry.

“We will always be thankful for whatever assistance you can extend,” he added.

Lamata assured President Marcos of the federation’s continued support.

“Rest assured of our commitment in your desire to clean up and strengthen our Motherland,” he said.