Amid the present situation of Government entertaining the idea of sugar importation, a multi sectoral group was formed to take up the issue on sugar price hike and sugar importation.

The group called the alliance as "SUGAR WATCH," a group that adheres to the advocacy to inform the people on the effects of sugar price hike and the justification of the government to import sugar.

Sugar Watch took numerous points on their initial discussion on how to get the people to be involved in the issue of sugar price hike and sugar importation. Joel Jaquinta of DAGYAW said that in the days when prices of sugar have gone low, prices of commodities such as beverages and pharmaceuticals remained constant.

Multi-national corporations that are using sugar are for the idea of sugar importation in order to minimize cost. These corporations consume the whole production of sugar in the entire country.

Negros produces 60% of sugar which are being supplied to the rest of the country. 90% of families in the entire island depend on the sugar industry.

SUGAR WATCH will be holding a pressconference today at the Negros Press Club, Media Center in time for the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The group will come out with an official position paper and will launch mass actions in order to push for a government intervention on sugar price hike.*