AS USUAL, the landing of Sen. Imee Marcos in Bacolod City was highlighted by a “pasabog” that, again, left the media in a “shock and awe” situation.
The presidential sister was the guest of honor during the opening of the 28th Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan, Bacolod on Monday, April 15.
His speech, however, didn’t just center on Panaad and its cultural or tourism essence but also on certain compelling challenges confronting the province of Negros Occidental.
The lady senator delved on the raging dry spell due to the El Niño phenomenon, the controversial Negros Island Region (NIR), pertussis, and sugar crisis.
What struck me was the issue on sugar crisis, which Senator Imee candidly dribbled with emotion. She said the sugar industry is the “pride and joy” of Negros Occidental yet many (the industry stakeholders per se) are doing “panaghoy” because of the millgate price dive to only a little higher than P2,000/lkg (50 kilos).
In a no-holds-barred speech in front of thousands Negrenses, Bacoleños and tourists in the jampacked Panaad Stadium, Senator Imee dared sugar industry czar Paul Azcona to make a bold step to bring back the decent price of sugar at P3,000/lkg in the next milling season (August or September).
‘POOR MRS’
Senator Imee’s line re: Azcona was “heavy” but prone to possible misinterpretation(s) And whether she likes it or not, such a line could be interpreted by some in so many ways.
For sugar planters – big or small- Senator Imee’s speech was quite relatable. Much more when she stressed in a press conference after her speech that the Sugar Regulatory (SRA) per se is one of the “poor” government agencies in the country.
Why poor?
That because, the senator said, it only has a P500-M annual budget.
That’s why the agency, she confided, is lobbying for a P5-billion annual budget or, if not, the reinstatement of the previous P2-billion budget for the agency.
‘MYSTERY WORD’
Question: With the current crisis besetting the sugar industry (planters lamenting the distasteful millgate pricing, which is mismatched with the current current market price of sugar0, will President Bongbong Marcos grant SRA’s wish for a P5-billion budget?
It remains to be seen.
But Senator Imee already used the word “collapse” in expressing fears re: sugar industry.
Why?
It’s a “mystery word” that puzzles even the local press.
To our surprise, the senator said the recent closure of Azucarera de Batangas is another regrettable case hounding the sugar industry.
BETWEEN THE LINES
Well, Senator Imee’s candid views on certain issues is always superb. The way I listen to her, she always put “suspense” between her quotable lines. What a witty employment of quotable quotes, therefore, that only the lady senator is capable of doing.
Saying, “Paul Azcona, you better watch out” could be a “meaningful line” that may also sound an alarm bell on the part of the SRA top boss. It could be an indirect warning: Shape up of ship out!
‘TOWER OF CHALLENGES’
The current rent El Niño phenomenon, drying up the vast sugar plantations in Negros Occidental, would add up to the “tower of challenges” Azcona needs to address soonest.
Question: How will Azcona rise from the ashes of burnt fields and how will he figuratively “sweeten” the sugar once more?
Tedious for sure. This is not an easy drive for the SRA chief./P.N.
