And yet, Brosas noted, the Marcos administration is seemingly seeking “to sabotage the local sugar industry” by importing the massive volume of sugar even with the opposition from local farmers.“This anti-farmer and anti-worker move will lead to massive loss of jobs and livelihood amid the economic crisis. Worse, it will not even control the ongoing decline in the country’s sugar production and increasing prices of sugar in the market,” she said in a statement.
The lawmaker then cited the Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. , the second largest azucarera in Luzon, which was forced to shut down due to operational and financial challenges. “The most effective solution to this issue is for the government to provide subsidies for the operations of local sugarcane planters. President Marcos Jr. must veer away from his addiction to importation and subsidize fuel and fertilizers which has been rising for many years,” she added.
Brosas had earlier filed a House resolution, seeking the conduct of an inquiry into the closure of CADPI and its effects on sugar workers and farmers in Batangas., signed by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian supposedly on behalf of Marcos, placed him and several ex-officials of the SRA in a tough spot.to be filed against the implicated officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the President, however, dismissed the case lodged against them. Sebastian was even granted the chance to return to the DA to lead its rice industry and development initiatives. —
BPinlacINQ this is the time you'll say, 'mirisi' sa mga haciendero sang negros who fervently supported and hauled truckloads of sugar workers to DDM's rally.