Analysis: Biofuel law to boost local sugar industry
by A. Lumaque
Roxas City (18 October) -- A diversified sugar industry is expected in the province with the enactment into law of the biofuel bill in Congress which mandates the blending of ethanol with gasoline.
The province’s sugar-producing municipalities are Maayon, Dumarao, Pontevedra, Pres. Roxas, Panit-an, Pilar, Tapaz, Sigma, Dumalag and Dao based on the Capiz Physical, Socio-Economic and Development Profile (PSED) last year.
About eight percent of the 110,594-hectare total agricultural land area is planted with sugarcane in 2004 based on the PSED report.
Administrator James Christopher Ledesma of the Sugar Regulatory Administration said the biofuel law is “expected to stabilize the sugar industry which is buffeted by fluctuating world market prices.
“It will present a chance for the sugar industry to diversify and will ease pressure on raw and refined sugar from price fluctuations in the domestic and foreign markets,” Ledesma said.
He also assured the public that sugar for food would still be the main priority of the SRA.
Recently, a pilot testing of a muscovado mill project was held at Barangay Pari-an, Sigma to formally begin the revival of muscovado sugar production in the province.
Sigma mayor Roberto Sualog said the mill will give economic opportunities to barangay residents in the area. (PIA) [top]
