Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday promised to expedite the passage of the Upper House version of his Sugarcane Industry Development Act bill, that passed on second reading in the Lower House Wednesday.

Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), who met Drilon at the Vin D’ Honneur in Malacañang Palace attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps for the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, assured that he would follow up the counterpart bills in the Senate.

The Negros solon said he hopes the sugarcane bill will be approved on third and final reading in the Lower House in August so it can be transmitted to the Senate, and, hopefully be passed into law before the end of the year.

House Bill 4633 is an act strengthening the policy framework for the development of the sugarcane industry, establishing the Sugarcane Industry Development Fund, and reorganizing the Philippine Sugarcane Corp., Benitez said.

Its objective is to revitalize and strengthen the sugarcane industry through diversification, development, and financing programs, promoting the interests of sugarcane farmers/planters, mills workers and consumers, as well as contribute to the food security objectives of the national government, he said.*CPG

back to top