Negros Occidental Gov. Isidro Zayco yesterday issued an executive order creating the Provincial Sugar Industry Task Force to address the effects on an expected early and long dead season in the sugar industry.

Named chairman of the task force is Board Member Enrique Miguel Lacson, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Food Security chairman, while vice chairman is Board Member Adolfo Mangao, SP Committee on Agriculture chairman.

Members of the task force are Board Members Nehemias de la Cruz and Patrick Lacson, Vivian Saratan of the Department of Labor and Employment, Raymund Montinola – Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations, Alfredo Reyes – United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc.;

Crisencio Abunda Jr. – National Federation of Sugarcane Producers, Liane Garcia – Provincial Social Welfare Officer, Randy Ronquillo – Workers Amalgated Union of the Philippines, Allan Guzon – Democratic Alliance of Labor Organizations and Rev. Aniceto Buenafe, director of the Diocese of Bacolod Social Action Center.

Zayco noted that Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela had warned of an early start to the off-milling season in the sugar industry, known as the dead season, due to low cane supply.

The dead season, which refers to the time when there is no work in sugar farms, usually starts in June and last for three months, but this year it could last up to five months, he warned.

The spiraling cost of fuel and fertilizers, coupled by the low price of sugar last year, which may be aggravated by the current global financial crisis, could result to widespread hunger and displacement of workers in sugar-producing areas, Zayco said in his executive order.

That is why he has called for a coordinated move of government and the sugar industry leaders to mitigate its effects, the governor said.

The task force  will also serve as an advisory committee to the Sanggunian on matters pertaining to the sugar industry and the  conditions affecting it, and perform other tasks  the Office of the Governor might direct it to do in relation to the sugar industry, Zayco said.

The governor said he will also appeal to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for assistance in addressing the effects of the lean months in the sugar industry.

Zayco has also written to Labor Secretary Marianito Roque seeking the release of P30 million from the sugar industry’s Social Amelioration Fund for rice subsidy for the sugar workers during the lean season.

The Negros Occidental SP yesterday also passed a resolution authored by Enrique Miguel Lacson urging the DOLE to facilitate the speedy release of the  P30 million from the unclaimed and forfeited SAF of the sugar industry for the socio-economic package for sugar workers.

Zayco said local officials down to barangay level should also prioritize their expenditures in preparation for the effects of the lean months in the sugar industry.*CPG

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