Senators Grace Poe Llamansares and Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday came to Bacolod City to consult local leaders relative to the implementation of the Sugarcane Industry Development Act as authored by Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez.
This is an Act which we supported me serving as the co author and Sen. Chiz as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Senator Cynthia Villar who chairs the Senate Agricultural Committee.
“We are here to sit down with the Sugar Regulatory Administration and the local leaders to ensure the proper implementation of this Act with a P2 billion allocation yearly for the sugarcane farmers to help them in the conduct of research, machinery, farm to market roads, among others. During the 2013 campaign, I promised to include Visayas in my priorities. I feel very much affiliated to the Visayas especially my mother Susan Roces is from here (your province) and I am an Ilonggo who came from Jaro, Iloilo,” she said.
Senator Escudero said the bill was already passed and the next is the putting of the corresponding allocation. The Implementing Rules and Regulations are also in place. Let us put our money where your mouth is. It cannot be that we will only have a law without a funding. It is like listing everything in waters.
MANILA BULLETIN
