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[av_heading heading=’Cola sale allowed in EB Magalona fiesta’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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Wednesday, April 26, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Unlike some other local governments in Negros Occidental, EB Magalona town is not banning Coca-Cola beverages during its fiesta from April 25 to May 1.
But Mayor Marvin Malacon promised a Coke ban after the fiesta.
He assured the sugar farmers protesting the importation and use of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the alternative sweetener Coca-Cola uses in its products, that he is sympathizing with them.
The Sangguniang Bayan will pass a resolution prohibiting the consumption of Coke in the town, said the mayor.
Coca-Cola was included in the fiesta program, which was already finalized in January, said Malacon.
Nathaniel Pogales, regional manager of Coca-Cola, is a native of EB Magalona, said Malacon.
Pogales told him that Coca-Cola is using locally produced sugar in its bottled products and HFCS only in canned ones, and that it has 46,000 sacks of sugar from the Lopez sugar central in its warehouse, Malacon said.
But “rest assured I’m [in favor of] banning Coke because of its effect [on] the farmers,” he said, adding that Pogales already knows about the planned ban.
Earlier Hinigaran, Isabela and Murcia towns and La Carlota City banned Coke consumption during fiestas and other celebrations in solidarity with the sugar industry stakeholders who had been calling for a boycott of the beverage company.
Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. himself called for the ban of Coke products at the Panaad sa Negros Festival site from April 22 to 30. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan supported this call./PN
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