BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental vice governor Jeffrey Ferrer thanked sugar mills for reopening ahead of the usual milling season. He hopes the scarcity of sugar will now be addressed.
“I made that appeal a couple of months ago when there were rumors of sugar shortage. I am very much appreciative that our sugar mills responded favorably,” Ferrer said.
The early start of the milling season is also going to be beneficial to sugar farmers as it coincides with the reopening of the school year.
“They have one less problem with additional expenses especially since some schools are now going to conduct face-to-face classes,” said Ferrer.
Those that have already announced their reopening were First Farmers, Hawaiian Philippines Company, Victorias Milling Company, URC La Carlota, and Sagay Central.
“With this, we hope we have contributed to resolving sugar supply issues and, in turn, we will also be seeing growth in our local economy,” said Ferrer.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) anticipates sugar shortage before the opening of milling season for calendar year 2022-2023 which is estimated at about 300,000 metric tons./PN
