Stakeholders on Tuesday lauded the passing of a Senate resolution opposing the planned liberalization of the sugar industry. Senate Resolution 213 unanimously approved by senators on Monday urged the Executive department not to pursue the planned liberalization of the sugar industry to safeguard the welfare of sugar farmers and industry workers in more than 20 provinces in the country. Tatak Kalamay is a multi-sector group based in Negros Occidental composed of sugar industry stakeholders. Instead of focusing on liberalizing the sugar industry, Zubiri proposed for the restoration of the full Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) budget in order to make the industry competitive globally. “We will see to it that the sugar industry will be more productive, competitive, and profitable,” Dar said in a text message to reporters.

Source: Manila Times November 12, 2019 18:13 UTC