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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Thursday, April 6, 2017
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BACOLOD City – A southern municipality in Negros Occidental is banning Coca-Cola products during their annual fiesta.
Mayor Enrique Montilla issued on Wednesday an executive order imposing the ban from April 19 to 22 — making Isabela the second town to impose such fiesta prohibition. The first was Hinigaran under Mayor Nadie Arceo.
Montilla said he is supporting calls for boycott against Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines for using high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
He also ordered to ban Coke products from Isabela’s booth during the Pana-ad Festival from April 22 to 30. Sugarcane juice will be sold instead.
Also on Wednesday, the Sangguniang Bayan of Isabela passed a resolution supporting Montilla’s order.
Earlier Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. ordered to ban Coke products during Panaad sa Negros.
The governor also instructed the organizers to refuse any sponsorship from the beverage company.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued a resolution supporting Marañon’s order.
Sugar industry stakeholders said the importation and use of HFCS, an alternative sweetener Coca-Cola uses in its beverages, is economically hurting local sugar planters and farmworkers.
The Sugar Alliance of the Philippines (SAP) called for the boycott of HFCS-using companies, including Coca-Cola.
“We are thankful Isabela joined the call to ban Coke,” said Atty. Dino Yulo, SAP spokesperson.
These actions of local chief executives “show that we are not alone in this fight against a Goliath and will show the rest of the country that we are united behind an industry that has been the lifeblood of Negros,” Yulo said.
Moreover, University of St. La Salle Alumni Association (USLSAA) president Dave Sanson announced that they will ban Coca-Cola products in their meetings, functions and activities, Yulo said, citing information from USLSAA Council of Past Presidents chairman Paeng Golez.
“The overwhelming support from fellow Negrenses has been touching for industry stakeholders not just here but also in other sugar-producing provinces planning to mount a similar campaign,” said the lawyer./PN
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