Farmer workers and members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Negros Occidental yesterday criticized Edwin Sanchez, the municipal agrarian reform officer of Mucia, for what they claimed as his inaction, unreliable performance, and lack of concern on the complaints and petitions filed by the farmers.

NFSW secretary general Butch Lozande yesterday said they want Sanchez to fast-track and process their claim folders pending in his office.

Lozande said that they feel that Sanchez is biased in his decisions and that he favors the claims of the landowners in processing the coverage and applications of the farmers for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

‘Solons flip-flopping on sin tax’

MANILA – Senator Franklin Drilon said yesterday that he was disturbed by what appears to be a “flip-flopping stand” by Philip Morris on the government’s proposal for a unitary or single tax rate for all brands of cigarettes as proposed under the Sin Tax bill.

“The government’s proposal for a unitary or single excise tax rate for all brands of cigarettes under the Sin Tax bill was even lobbied for by Philip Morris, but, in a twist of fate, the tobacco firm is now pulling back on the proposed scheme,” explained Drilon.

Drilon said that Philip Morris managing director George Farah expressed in a letter to Malacanang dated February 5, 2003 the corporation’s support to uniform specific tax for cigarettes.

Provincial vet to attend
FMD protocol training

Negros Occidental Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Renante Decena will be part of the group that will create the Philippine government protocol on foot-and-mouth disease to emergency preparedness capacity.

Decena said yesterday, that he will attend the workshop on pre-testing of the training module for recognized FMD zones and countries in South East Asia on Sept. 3 and 4 at the Manila Hotel, in Manila.

He said the workshop will help them formulate trade rules and restrictions on exported meat and meat products and animals.

back to top