Makati City Mayor Abby Binay (Mayor Binay's office)

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental--Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Makati City Mayor Abby Binay has suggested a simple way to help out sugar farmers here in the region.

According to Binay, the government should adopt a clear-cut policy to halt the importation of sugar during the harvest season.

"So let us make a clear policy. Kapag panahon ng ani, kapag panahon ng harvest, no importation. That has to be clearly in black and white, at panghawakan ‘yon ng farmers natin,” said the lady official, who was in town for the campaign sorties of Alyansa.

(If it's harvest season then there should be no importation. That has to be clearly in black and white, so that our farmers can hold us accountable for it.)

Binay said only 20 percent of the country’s sugar supply is imported while 80 percent is locally sourced. 

Neighboring Negros Occidental is known as the sugar bowl of the Philippines thanks to Bacolod city's massive sugarcane industry. Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor comprise the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR).

Binay said there is a big potential for the country to become a major producer of sugar if policies are put in place to  encourage investors to build modern sugar mills. This will also help bring down the price of sugar in the market.

"I think we also need to have an environment that is conducive for private investors to come in, bring in their money. Sila po ang magtayo ng magandang milling para bumaba po ang presyo ng sugar (They can build good milling stations in orderto bring down the price of sugar),” Binay said.

"Imagine if we become 100 percent reliant on local produce, and we can even export our sugar, ang laki po ng tulong nito sa ekonomiya ng Negros (this will be a huge help to the economy of Negros),” she said.

The Alyansa bet earlier met with officers and members of the Asociacion Agricola de Bais Y Tanjay Inc. where they discussed issues facing the sugar industry.

Reaching Negros Occidental on Friday, Feb. 21, Binay declared to the locals: "Ako po ang magiging boses ninyo pagdating sa Senado (I will be your voice when it comes to the Senate.)"

She cited that her experience in local governance has given her firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by ordinary Filipinos.  

“Alam ko po yung mga problema ninyo (I know what your problems are). I can totally relate to your daily problems and I know your concerns and your issues,” she said.  

Binay noted that like her fellow candidates in the administration ticket, she was chosen by President Marcos based on her track record, specifically her capabilities and accomplishments as a lawyer, member of Congress, and mayor.  

“We are chosen based on our track record, based on...what kind of service we can give to the government,” she said.