[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’NegOcc to tackle sugar industry woes in summit’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
BACOLOD City – To resolve problems hounding the sugar industry, the Negros Occidental provincial government will hold a Sugar Summit next month.
Capitol identified the problems as lack of labor, low prices, reduction in demand for sweeteners, and the proposed excise taxes on fuel and sweetened beverages.
Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. has expressed concern on these issues, said Rafael Coscolluela, provincial government consultant on investment promotions, export and trade development.
The sugar industry will suffer if these problems are not addressed, said Coscolluela, a former governor.
Negros Occidental produces about 60 percent of the Philippines’ sugar output.
Marañon wants to consult with industry stakeholders and ask them to help find ways to resolve these woes, Coscolluela said.
Negros Occidental crafted a Sugar Roadmap in 2015, but considering the “evolving” industry problems, “changes and alignments” might be needed, he said.
“This summit is very timely,” the capitol consultant said. “Are we going to diversify? If not, what should we do?”
During the province’s Tourism Summit in May, Interior undersecretary Jesus Hinlo Jr., a Negrense, said Negros Occidental should diversify.
The province “can’t be forever dependent on sugar,” Hinlo said, suggesting that it explore tourism.
But while Negros Occidental has the potential to attract more tourists, it needs “infrastructure boost,” he said.
Tourism assistant secretary Frederick Alegre shared Hinlo’s observation regarding the province’s tourism potentials.
Alegre assured Negros officials that the Tourism department will closely work with the provincial government to strengthen the latter’s campaign to become a top tourist destination in the island region. (PNA)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
