The Philippine Competition Commission said it has approved URC’s acquisition of Central Azucarera de la Carlota and Roxol Bioenergy Corp’s sugar milling and bioethanol distillery plants and its parcels of land, and shares held by Roxas Holdings, Inc.
The PCC said that unlike in the Batangas deal where sugar planters had to choose between 2 players, majority of Negros sugarcane farmers work in associations with bargaining power. It said that in Negros, sugarcane planters can choose millers where they can get the best price for their produce. Millers meanwhile compete through prices and incentives.
With the approval of the deal, URC is set to acquire all buildings, refinery and milling plants, other assets of CA-Carlota. It will also get the bio-ethanol plant of Roxol, as well as 2 parcels of land in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental. URC shall also take 520,115 Najilin common shares held by RHI and its nominee shareholders.