Sugar producers ask
for 'C' sugar allocation

Neither the Southeast Asian Games nor the deadly NPA ambush of army troopers in Calinog, Iloilo distracted sugar producers from focusing on the need for the Sugar Board to allot a portion of the crop year's production as "C" or reserved sugar.

Several contacted me over the weekend to ask me to relay to Administrator James Ledesma their position that the "C" allocation could erase the perception of overstocking at the height of the milling season. In short, at the peak of the milling, they pointed out, often there is a tendency to believe that there are more than enough sugar to meet domestic demand. And that is what brings millgate prices down, several pointed out.

Most, however hailed the increase of the "A" sugar allotment to 10 percent. That intends to anticipate the increase in the Philippine share of the US sugar quota, which is expected to be hiked before the year-end.

The reason for that is because of the extensive damage to US sugarcane crops caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita plus, later, by Wilma. The unanticipated havoc prompted the US agriculture department to revise its estimate of the damage. Eventually, aside from increasing the Tariff Rate Quota, they also increased the sugar imports from Mexico under the NAFTA and added more imports from the Carribean countries under the CAFTA.

Anyway, the clamor from the "C" sugar has already been tossed to the SRA. We hope that Administrator James Ledesma will study more closely that possibility.

***

A lot of Bacolodnons and Negrenses applauded Rogelia Ferrer Pell at the opening rites of the Southeast Asian Games at the Panaad Park and Stadium. The 70-year-old "Rogie", as she is better known among Negrense fans, has managed to remain slim and also in physical form from the challenging role of carrying the torch while maintaining her stride. Of course, that was not the favorite sprint of "Rogie". But still a lot admired her for her courage in going through with her assignment.

And she still managed to attend yesterday's interview over ABS-CBN. Perhaps what may have contributed to her strength despite her waning years is the fact that Rogie plays golf to maintain her physique.

Anyway, here's another toast from a admiring Negrense. Although she graduated as a junior alumna from the NOHS of my late wife, Dr. Lourdes L. Espina, I think that "Rogie" deserves to be celebrated for retaining her oomph.

****

I should like to publicly acknowledge Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella for sending over to my home the VIP card for the opening rites of the SEA Games. Thanks a lot Newks.

***

Another I should acknowledge is Nena de Leon, the grand lady of the Bacolod Pavillion. Last week, without any reason, she sent over to my house a big bunch of fruits which include apples, grapes, etc.

Incidentally, she is not only a good friend, dating back to her Fabrica days, she is also a comadre. Her daughter, Clarissa is the god-daughter of my late wife. Nene joins me in thinking her for that wonderful pack of fruits. It was an early Christmas gift.

***

Oops, my mistake. It should have read Dr. Sarah Ann Javison, not Javelona as earlier mentioned in my column. She is the daughter of Pons and Merin Manayon, the former several times president of the Bacolod Capitol Lions Club.

***

My congratulations to Supt. Modesto Sanson of the Victorias police station for a well-deserved promotion to the rank of senior superintendent. That's the equivalent of a colonel in the Armed forces.

Sanson had always been considered one of the best superintendents among the police chiefs of Negros Occidental. Whenever he served as police chief, that town invariably earned recognition as among the top police stations of the province.

Be it in Bago City, Sagay City and Victorias City, Sanson never failed to instill among his policemen that sense of duty and self-worth that earned them awards.

He also won in 2000, 2001, and 2004 the best senior police commissioned officer awards.

Sanson is certainly a credit to the police force. And we are sure that he will rise higher in the ranks of the PNP because of his dedication and devotion to his duties. A very religious person, Sanson is the perfect gentleman officer.

We also hope that Supt. Pedro Merced also gets his promotion which he also richly deserves.

***

Starting Sunday, the top stories of the province will now be the results of the various competitions in the SEA Games. Negrenses have gone gaga over the various games. For that matter, they flit from one venue to the other, just to be able later to tell their children - "I was there and saw it."

***

My heart goes to the families of the soldiers killed in Saturday's landmine explosion and ambush of a team of army troopers at Calinog, Iloilo City. Also to the families and the survivors who got away with only wounds from the hour-long firefight.

If the purpose of that ambush was to send the message to the various delegations of the Southeast Games that the insurgency situation remains alive and kicking, it did serve its purpose. Now, the delegates will go home and tell their respective home governments that the communists are still around in the Philippines.

But that also could earn the insurgents a vigorous counter-offensive by the government's military. Imagine the embarrassment the military suffered, especially with so many members of the First Scout rangers killed. This is supposed to be the elite Army unit.

The only thing we can say, is that we should put a stop to further violence. It does not serve a purpose except to exacerbate the hatred among the protagonists. We pray that both the casualties and the perpetrators of the ambush may be helped by God to learn how to forgive one another. So with their respective loved ones.*

back to top