Prevent price drop,
sugar leaders call
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Sugar leaders yesterday called for the conversion of 10 percent of the country's sugar into “C” or “reserve” supply to prevent a plunge in prices.

Enrique Rojas, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters Inc. president, and Manuel Lamata, United Sugar Producers Federation president, said immediate action must be taken.

“It is only through SRA's prompt and immediate intervention on this matter that sugar prices can be prevented from declining and the long-term welfare of consumers and producers can be protected,” Rojas said in his letter to Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela said.

The 111th anniversary of Cinco de Noviembre, when Negrense forces in 1898 liberated Negros from Spanish rule, was celebrated in yesterday with several reenactments of the event and the honoring of heroes and outstanding taxpayers of the province.

“The theme for this year's celebration is ‘Nurturing Modern Day Heroes Toward A Culture of Change', which is a fitting challenge to reflect, not only on the heroism of our forefathers, but also on what we can contribute as Negrenses to help make our province one of the most progressive in the country,” Gov. Isidro Zayco said, at rites held at the Provincial Capitol Park in Bacolod City .

“All of us can be heroes for each other if only we chouse to open our hearts to the needs of others. We need to enliven among us the spirit of bayanihan or volunteerism. Our forebears used this very powerful weapon to win their battles 111 years ago,” he said.

The burial of 13 out of the 17 casualties of the Nov. 2 fire that destroyed about P4 million worth of properties in Barangay 19, Bacolod City , brought together Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella yesterday.

Both incumbent officials will be contending for the mayoralty post in the May 2010 elections.

The solon and the mayor helped the families of the victims carry their caskets at the Handumanan Public Cemetery and at the Sto. Niño Chapel where a mass was held by Fr. Ernesto Mahillano at past 2 p.m. yesterday.