Negros Occidental Third District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez has declared that the sugar industry across the entire nation is now in a critical state. This announcement was made during a significant public consultation event focused on the sector's pressing challenges.
Public Consultation Highlights Industry Struggles
Representative Benitez attended the Sugar Industry Public Consultation held at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on Friday, January 23, 2026. In his address, he emphasized the gravity of the current situation, stating that it is a well-known and recurring issue within the industry's history.
"That is the situation that brings us all here today. This is neither new nor isolated. History reminds us that our industry has endured cycles of hardship many times before. In fact, out of one of the most painful chapters of our shared story, a world-renowned festival, the MassKara Festival was born. We are not sugar-coating the truth. This, too, is a fact," Benitez remarked, highlighting the resilience of the sugar sector despite ongoing difficulties.
Key Attendees and Collaborative Efforts
The consultation was a high-profile gathering, attended by several notable figures, including:
- Senator Francisco Pangilinan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform
- Congressman Wilfredo Mark Enverga, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, Bacolod City
- Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez
- Fourth District Representative Jeffrey Ferrer
- Sugar Regulatory Administration Administrator Pablo Azcona
- Mayors from various cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental
- Stakeholders from the sugar industry
This diverse participation underscores the widespread concern and collaborative approach needed to address the industry's challenges.
Legislative Action to Address Economic Impacts
Prior to the consultation, Representative Benitez filed a resolution urging the House of Representatives to conduct an inquiry. This initiative aims to assist in crafting legislation to tackle the declining millgate price of sugar produced in Negros Occidental and its adverse effects on the economy of farmers and workers.
The resolution seeks to provide a framework for understanding and mitigating the economic pressures faced by those dependent on the sugar industry, ensuring sustainable solutions are developed through legislative support.
