Mexico hampers RP
bid for US sugar quota hike
But better local prices seen
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Philippines is not likely to get an increased United States sugar quota allocation because of large amounts of supply already entering the US from Mexico, but RP prices are expected to improve just the same, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela said yesterday.

Coscolluela said the Philippines’ crop year 2008-2009 production is expected to be 100,000 metric tons less than originally estimated.

The initial estimate for crop year 2008-2009 was 2.23 million metric tons but to date is it 1.095 million MT and could reach 2.1million MT at most, he said.

Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella yesterday blamed the requirement of the Office of the Building Official of an environmental compliance certificate before a project could be issued a building permit by the city that, he said, is stifling the construction and completion of the Heart, Lung and Kidney Center in Bacolod City.

Why require an ECC when the project is within the compound of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital which has been in existence for so many years? Puentevella asked.

Building Official Teresita Guadalupe, however, said P.D. 1096, or the National Building Code, provides that any repair, renovation, construction, demolition or excavation requires a permit.

A freshman stewarding student from the VMA Global College bagged the crown of Ms. Earth-Mambukal Saturday during the 2009 Mudpack Festival at the Convention Hall of the Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia, Negros Ocidental.

Doanne Stephanie Peraren, 17, of Brgy. Villamonte in Bacolod City bested ten other candidates and took home P10,000 in cash as her prize.

Other winners were Carol Carcoso – 4th runner-up and Miss Metal, Aisan Dianne Boroc – 3rd runner-up and Miss Fire, Gretchen May Villoso – 2nd runner-up and Miss Water, and Deenise Pia Gasendo – 1st runner up and Miss Air.