Production drops,
SRA ups B sugar
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Bautista-Martin has issued a new sugar order increasing the sugar allocation for domestic consumption, from 86 to 92 percent.

The order was issued following a reduction in the country’s estimated sugar production for crop year 2013-2014, from 2.45 million metric tons to 2.35 million MT, she said.

In Sugar Order No. 1-A Series of 2013-2014, dated February 11, Martin set the new allocations of A, or US Quota Sugar, at 2 percent, B or domestic sugar at 92 percent, and D or world market sugar at 6 percent.

BI deporting 7 foreigners
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Seven foreigners in Negros Occidental, found to be overstaying in the country, yesterday opted to file petitions before the Bureau of Immigration for voluntary deportation, Bacolod Alien Control Officer Casimiro Madarang III said.

To be deported are six Chinese and one Indian, whose names were withheld.

Madarang said the Bureau of Immigration hearing officer had recommended the deportation of the seven in their charge sheets, and they agreed to voluntarily leave the country.

Martinez advances
at Sochi Olympics

Filipino Michael Christian Martinez, the first Southeast Asian figure skater to compete in the Winter Olympics, has advanced to the free program, leaving the door open for the possibility of earning a medal in the event, GMA news online reported.

Martinez, 17,  got a score of 64.81 in the short program at the Iceberg Skating Palace in Sochi, Russia, late last night.

Skating to Arthur Fielder's "Romeo & Juliet", Martinez  was the fifth and the youngest to perform  out of a field of 29 other skaters from 21 nations.