Negros leaders urge unity as sugar prices slide

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson and the mayors of Negros Occidental have called on sugar groups, federations, and industry leaders to unite amid the worsening crisis in the sugar industry caused by plummeting prices and weak market demand.

In a joint appeal over the weekend, the governor and local chief executives emphasized the need for a single, united position before elevating the industry’s concerns to the national government, saying that unity is critical for effective and immediate intervention.

“As the country’s sugar capital and as a province whose economy is significantly anchored on the strength and stability of the sugar industry, it is vital that we present a unified position,” the appeal stated.

“Together, let us act with firm determination to safeguard the livelihood of our farmers, workers, and communities,” it added.

The call for action comes as sugar prices continue to decline, renewing fears for the welfare of small planters and farm workers who depend heavily on sugarcane for their income.

Earlier, 5th District Rep. Emilio Yulo, a former director of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), also urged stakeholders to stop infighting and instead focus on finding immediate solutions.

“Stop the bickering and help address the situation,” Yulo said, as he called on the SRA to take urgent steps to arrest the continued drop in sugar prices.

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

Yulo noted that small sugar farmers have been hardest hit by a series of challenges, including recent calamities, pest infestations, and now persistently low farmgate prices.

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

He also pointed out that much of the industry’s internal conflict involves millers and large planters who are in a better position to weather low prices.

“Many of them can afford to wait it out until prices improve. However, our small farmers don’t have that luxury,” he said, urging everyone to support one another rather than prolonging disputes.

Yulo warned that delays caused by long policy reviews and investigations would only worsen the situation.

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

Both Yulo and the provincial leadership stressed the urgent need for decisive action to prevent deeper hardship in sugar-producing communities across Negros Occidental.

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