Good news,
but prepare

The good news is that prices of domestic sugar improved.

But, prepare. It cannot be like that all the time. If it goes too high SRA will step in to control it. Don't forget this world is not only for producers. It is also for consumers.

And don't forget, too, that the peak of the milling months is January to March. Expect prices to dip at this time. But, this is the time, too, when SRA must be ready to impose allocation for "C" sugar.

* * *

The provincial government said it is willing to pay P3.6 million to Sugarland Hotel as per Memorandum of Understanding signed eleven years ago.

Both my friends Felix and Tess Yusay may have their own decision. But, Gov. Joseph Marañon is right when, he said that, if the province goes to the court, it will take a long time to get the final decision.

And, I think, if the province settles, Bacolod City will think of settling too.

* * *

Gov. Marañon said he will collect this from the Department of Transportation and Communication which ordered the demolition of Sugarland Hotel's fourth floor.

It is but proper that the Department of Transportation and Communication should pay.

I recall very clearly that the demolition of Sugarland's fourth floor was at the instance of then head of the Air Transportation Office Panfilo Villaruel.

I wrote it after some ATO people told me, it was the vengeance of Villaruel for Sugarland which, at the time, Sugarland clerks charged him for his stay, not knowing the guest was head of ATO.

When I wrote about it, even Felix Yusay was surprised how I knew. Villaruel never disputed what I wrote. I was ready to name the fellow who gave me the information.

* * *

I agree with the move of City Legal Officer Allan Zamora to revoke the applications of Vendor's Plaza tenants.

The stalls or blocks at the reclamation area were abandoned for many years already. Now that SM Shoe Mart is putting up a new big mall, they apply again. I think the city should give them to new applicants.

They can reapply but not use their having been there as a right.

But the city should be watchful. If they do not watch, before they know it, the place will already be crowding with squatter vendors.

* * *

The Year 2006 is really a good year. Jolibee Foods Corporation opened its eighth branch in the city for its Lacson branch, adjacent to McDonald's.

McDonald's and Jolibee should be emulated by other businesses. They are in friendly competition. That way each tries to improve its services.

Jolibee had a big parade yesterday and its opening only shows an optimistic outlook for the economy.

* * *

Of course, tomorrow afternoon, Sunshine Channel at Cable TV of SkyCable 14 will also open.

This is also another indication of a confidence in the economic prospects of 2006.

There are other businesses planning to open here, too. A Call Center will also be opened which will hire more than 800 people. Expect prices of sugar to improve too. But this is for 2006. Be careful of the following crop year.

It is a pattern. When prices are good, people expand acreage resulting in oversupply. And this is the thinking all over the world. This destroys the market.

And when sugar is cheap in the world market, big producers like Thailand smuggle their sugar in.

The best proof that there's smuggling is when the report says consumption did not increase. Consumption should increase because our population increases by 2.3 percent.

If consumption does not increase it means the smuggling fills up the increase of consumption.

* * *

Was Vice-President Noli de Castro sacked by the ABS-CBN because, as reported, "he refused to criticize President Arroyo?"

Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN news and current affairs said the termination of de Castro's program, "Magandang Gabi Bayan" had no political implications.

Whatever is the truth of the story, I believe the Vice-President must devote his time to government and his job as vice-president and not as a broadcaster.

That television program of de Castro deprives the Filipino people of his services as vice-president. He must make a choice, to be vice-president or broadcaster.

* * *

Finance Secretary Gary Teves and BIR Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag will be in town today to help explain to the people the expanded value added tax. It is our obligation to pay our taxes. We must pay the correct taxes and report corrupt tax men.*

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