Sugarcane bill hurdles ways, means committee

THE House committee on ways and means chaired by Representative Julio Ledesma IV (1st district) approved on Tuesday the Sugarcane Bill principally authored by Representative Albee Benitez (3rd district).

Minor amendments were made on the proposed bill, according to a communication from the office of Benitez.

With the committee’s approval, the proposed bill is now headed to the committee on appropriations chaired by Representative Joseph Emilio A. Abaya (1st district, Cavite).

Benitez is optimistic that his bill will become a law before this year ends, saying majority of the members of Congress are supportive of his bill.

Benitez came up with the bill after sugar planters aired their complaints about the drop in the prices of sugar in the last milling season.

The bill highlights protection for the sugar industry, especially in 2015 when tariff on imported sugar will drop to the lowest rates until the implementation of the zero tariff.

The bill also provides protection for the planter beneficiaries of the comprehensive agrarian reform program and the creation of sugar estates in the province, which is known as the sugar capital of the Philippines.

The Sugarcane Bill is being sponsored by Senator Francis Escudero in the Senate.

Escudero earlier said that the trial against impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona caused the delay in the deliberation of the bill but the senator said he is also looking forward to the passage of the bill before this year ends. (Teresa D. Ellera)