BACOLOD City — The Alliance of Concerned Consumers in Electricity and Social Services (ACCESS) is set to address four major issues affecting Negros Occidental during its first General Membership Assembly scheduled for next month.
The assembly will focus on rice and sugar importation, as well as public services such as water and electricity.
According to Ad Hoc Committee chairperson Wennie Sancho, ACCESS plans to send a formal letter to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) regarding the volume of imported artificial sweeteners, particularly high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), entering the country. Sancho emphasized that the influx of HFCS is not only harmful to consumers’ health but also poses a significant threat to the local sugar industry.
“We are calling on the SRA to address the clamor of stakeholders in the sugar industry who are deeply concerned about the excessive importation of HFCS,” Sancho said.
ACCESS will also seek clarification from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the agency’s repeated yet unfulfilled promises to reduce rice prices. Additionally, the alliance will request an update on the stockpile of accumulated rice currently stranded in seaports and container vans.
On local matters, the alliance intends to request a detailed report from Negros Electric and Power Corporation (NEPC) regarding the impact of the recent typhoon on its infrastructure and equipment, which caused widespread unplanned power outages. The alliance is also keen to assess the current condition of Central Negros Electric Cooperative (CENECO) equipment, including transformers and substations, to prevent future power disruptions.
In response to growing concerns over water supply, ACCESS will also ask Bacolod City Water District-Prime Water Bacolod (Baciwa-Prime Water) to explain its ongoing failure to provide sufficient water and address issues related to turbid water quality and inefficient services.
Sancho mentioned that while the date and venue for the assembly have yet to be finalized, these critical issues will be at the forefront of the upcoming assembly./PN
