Casiño on zero tariff: threat to sugar industry

BAYAN Muna Representative Teddy Casiño said, in a press briefing on social enterprises in Talisay City, the implementation on zero tariff in 2015 is a threat to the sugar industry.

“THE implementation of zero tariff on imported sugar under the Asean Free Trade Agreement in 2015 is a threat to the sugar industry,” Casiño said.

Casiño, chairman of the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, said the zero tariff on sugar imports will endanger the lives and livelihood of sugar farmers, farm workers and planters, the solon explained, stressing that the country’s sugar industry will be bludgeoned by the influx of cheap imported sugar from Australia and Thailand.

He added there is a need to subsidize the sugar industry to support the farmers, and for the country to develop an alternative system like producing muscovado sugar for export to other markets and invest in technology research and development.

“It is the government’s duty to protect the local industries and enterprises, and it is imperative that we should work for its postponement,” he said, referring to the implementation of zero tariff on imported sugar.

Social enterprise

Casiño, who is supporting the passage of House Bill 6085 or An Act Ordaining the Promotion and Development of Social Enterprises in order to Ensure Poverty Reduction, also pushed for the social enterprise movement theorizing on the need to expand and drum up efforts to decisively reduce poverty in the country.

He said social enterprises in Negros helped the poor families, farm workers, and fisherfolks, who improved their financial, social and environmental living.

“Social enterprises are focused on making money, and that money goes back to the community. This movement must be expanded to the allies, beneficiaries and partners nationwide,” he said.

The event in Talisay City was headed by the Philippine Social Enterprise Network, Consuelo Foundation, and the Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc. (Teresa D. Ellera)