Sugar quota tackled
during Obama visit
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The entry of the Philippines' share of the US sugar quota at zero tariff was included in side discussions during the visit of US President Barack Obama to the Philippines early this week, Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said yesterday.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman discussed the  r enewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) that allows Philippine sugar exported to the United States to enter at zero tariff, she said.

Philippine sugar exports to the US have enjoyed duty-free tariff under the GSP, which expired in July 2013, she said. Because of that Philippine sugar exports to the US had to pay the required tariff, she said.

Block farms' yield
increasing: SRA
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Block farming or the consolidation of small sugarcane farms of agrarian reform beneficiaries to ensure plantation scale profit, is beginning to bear fruit with their produce having doubled in the last two years, Sugar Regulator Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said yesterday.

The key to surviving the ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement is for farmers to lower cost, increase production, and become more efficient, she said.

And, at the rate block farming is going, Martin said there is nothing to fear or worry about beyond 2015.

Officials laud
workers on Labor Day
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental and Bacolod officials yesterday paid tribute to the workers of the province on the eve of the celebration of Labor Day today.

Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Labor Day is a celebration honoring the workforce, a day to recognise their sacrifices and their social and economic achievements.

“As we mark this important event let us pay tribute to our workers with the resolve that we promote their prosperity and economic advancement,” he said.