Binay brings P27.3M
housing aid to Negros
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Vice President Jejomar Binay distributed P27.3 million in housing aid to Negros Occidental, P19.9 million of which was given to victims of super-typhoon “Yolanda”, at rites held at the Talisay City Hall yesterday.

The P19.9 million for 51,182 families, whose houses were destroyed or damaged by Yolanda in Negros Occidental, was given to EB Magalona – P2,499,375, Manapla – P4,999,120, Silay – P2,499,627, Talisay – P2,496,900, and Victorias – P7,490,880, Binay said.

The vice president also said about 20,000 families living in coastal communities of Silay, Cadiz, Escalante, Sagay and Victorias cities, and Manapla and EB Magalona towns are also being targeted for relocation.

SRA to act on rising sugar rates
BY ADRIAN NEMES III

The Sugar Regulatory Administration is set to release an order this week re-allocating sugar supply intended for exportation to the domestic market, to mitigate the rising prices of sugar in the country, SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said yesterday.

An SRA report showed that the millgate prices of “B” or domestic sugar shot up to P1,684.03 per lkg last week while it was only P1,424.25 in the same period last year or an increase of 18.24 percent.

It added that the price of “A” or export sugar also increased to P891.66 per lkg last week compared to its price in the same period last year which was only at P650.35.

House tackles incentives
for block farming
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) yesterday said the House Committee on Ways and Means has asked for an explanation about the effects of government incentives on block farming in the sugar industry.

The incentives for block farming are included in the proposed Sugarcane Industry Development Act authored by Benitez that was heard by the House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Rep. Romero Quimbo (Marikina City, 2nd District), yesterday morning.

Block farming, or the consolidation of small sugarcane farms to ensure plantation scale profit, is being pushed to ensure the survival of the Philippine sugarcane industry with the full implementation of the Asean Free Trade Area agreement next year.