The members of the Dacongcogon Farmers’-Producers’ Cooperative are asking the administration of President Benigno Aquino III to acquire and operate the sugar mill at Brgy. Tabugon, Kabankalan City, its chairman, Rolando Parpa, said yesterday.

The sugar mill was foreclosed by the Philippine National Bank after it was taken over and abandoned by Celso de los Angeles, Parpa said at a press conference yesterday at the Negros Press Club building.

He said they are appealing for support from the government to restore its operation because it is the best livelihood project for small farmers.

AXA opens ‘new’
Bacolod branch

The newly-renovated branch of AXA Philippines at the ground floor of the Doña Ceferina Building at Lacson Street, Bacolod City, was blessed recently, a press release from the company said.

Rien Hermans, president and chief executive officer, said “We believe that in order to remain available to our valued customers, we must be present where they are. AXA aims to improve its reach in the countryside to bring our financial solutions to more customers.”

AXA Philippines is one of the top life insurance providers in the country, with P10 billion in premium income in 2011 and is one of the leading life insurance in terms of variable or investment-linked products, the press release said. Currently, AXA has over 140,000 customers served by 1,600 financial advisors through 26 branches in key cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as well as 450 financial executives in over 600 Metrobank branches nationwide, the press release said.

Shell, Eastern cut
oil pump prices

MANILA – Pilipinas Shell and independent oil player Eastern Petroleum Philippines cut prices of petroleum products yesterday.

Eastern Petroleum said that it slashed P1 per liter on premium and unleaded gasoline.

Eastern said it would also pull down the price of regular gasoline by P0.40 per liter and diesel as well as kerosene by P0.25 per liter.