Sugar planters warn
of restiveness in countryside

By Ranie S. Azue

BACOLOD City – Close to a thousand sugarcane farmers from northern and southern Negros Occidental marched here and demanded for immediate government action against sugar smugglers and fertilizer cartels.

The protesters first gathered in front of the office of Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) and also lighted candles. After a short program, they marched to the Bacolod Public Plaza.

According to the sugar planters, the high cost of sugarcane production is taking its toll on small and medium sugarcane farmers.

United Farmers of Negros-South Inc. (UNIFARMS) president and protest rally convenor Jose Nadie Arceo predicted the death of the sugar industry unless the government curbs sugar smuggling and lower the cost of fertilizer.

“The continuing crisis in the sugar industry is displacing thousands of sugarcane workers,” Arceo stressed.

He added: “With families living on the verge of unthinkable misery, we can only imagine a drastic increase in crimes. Many displaced workers may also be forced to go up to the mountains to rebel against the government.”

The sugar planters condemned the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority for being “useless” and for tolerating the rising cost of fertilizer.

They also urged the Department of Agriculture to start importing fertilizers and to subsidize them.

Joining UNIFARMS in the protest rally were farmers from the Independent Planters of Binalbagan (IPOBI), Binalbagan-Isabela Planters Association (BIPA), Kabankalan-Ilog Planters Association, Sagay Makaisa Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Cauayan Sugar Planters Association (CASPUA) and other independent sugar planters associations./PN