Business: The Sugar Act Bill Formulation Deadline: End of February
“The definite deadline to formulate the Sugar Bill will be at the end of this month, February. The Sugar Alliance and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) will look into the proposed bill at all angles in order to have a Comprehensive Final Bill, a legislation to help the Sugar Industry.”
Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental said during the conference with the Sugar Alliance and SRA Administrator Gina Bautista Martin at Nature’s Village Restaurant in Talisay City, yesterday.
Congressman Benitez added that “As for me, all of them should be united. Many of our Congressmen also have their own interest and in conflict with those of the consumers and the sugar industry. Two sectors never work hand in hand. It’s through legislation, and the government should come in to strike a balance. An Executive Order is not enough that’s why I am pushing for a legislation. A comprehensive approach for final and lasting solution.”
SRA Administrator Gina Bautista Martin adds that “They should study the proposal on the Sugar Act Bill.”
These were the issues and concerns during the conference with the Sugar Alliance and Congresman Benitez, author of the proposed “Sugar Act Bill” to be passed in Congress in order to protect the sugar industry and be able to compete and survive. One of the issues that everyone was in agreement is not to bring back the ills of the past that brought abuses in Single Selling of Sugar.
However, Enrique “Nene” Rojas of NFSP expressed that he does not outrightly reject the Sugar Act Bill. “I will abide by the decisions of the majority. We have to come up with a tailored Sugar Act Bill that will be formulated within ourselves. We will form a committee to take all sides. I am not in favor of single selling of Sugar.”
Manuel “Manolet” Lamata of UNIFED agreed to the idea of forming a committee “and to be supported by all of us and to sit down with Congresman Albee Benitez and SRA Administrator Gina Martin. Time is running out and we have no decision yet regarding the proposed Sugar Act Bill.”
On the other hand, “I am in favor of a Special Election for Representative of the 5th District of Negros Occidental,” Cong. Benitez said in a press conference with the media yesterday.
Among the concerns raised during the conference was, who will be the best caretaker of the 5th District of Negros Occidental? The following names popped up: 1. Congressman Mercedes Alvarez of 6th District; 2. Congressman Jeffrey P. Ferrer of 4th District of Negros Occ.; 3. Party List Representative Neri Colmenares; 4. Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte.
“We need a person who can actually represent the 5th District of Negros Occidental. The question is time constraint. It’s the Comelec which can provide,” Cong. Benitez pointed out.
Today, Benitez will file a resolution in Congress that every House Member shall voluntarily donate funds for the earthquake victims of Negros Oriental.
“Personally,” Benitez said he donated P 500,000.00 for the earthquake victims of Negros Oriental. He appealed to the private sectors for support and to give whatever assistance they can extend to the victims of earthquake in Negros Oriental.*
