MORE local government units in Negros Occidental are prohibiting the sale of Coca-Cola products in their fiesta celebrations in solidarity with the sugar industry’s protest against the beverage firm’s use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
The latest is Pontevedra town and a barangay in Murcia town.
In Executive Order 14 dated April 20, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Benito Alonso banned the sale of Coke products during its Handurayo Festival on May 4 to 9.
The order said the people of Pontevedra is primarily dependent on the sugar industry hence, the importation of HFCS has an adverse effect to the local economy, and thousands in the labor sector.
The local government is affirming its support to the sugar industry, considering that the small farmers and other beneficiaries, and their families will “greatly suffer” as they are highly dependent on sugar for their livelihood, the order said.
Barangay Talotog of Murcia also prohibited the sale of all Coca-Cola products in their village.
The resolution dated April 19 was authored by Kagawad Ariel Muyco and unanimously seconded by Kagawads Remy Valenzuela, Haydee Java, Danilo Perla, Liza Olmido, Wennie Magbanua and Josephine Tonugbanua.
The resolution was signed by village chief Teresita Viñas, members of the barangay council, and Barangay Secretary Cynthia Malata.
The resolution said that Coca-Cola products contain HFCS which is detrimental to one’s health.
Its importation as primary sweetener for its products is a big insult to the sugar industry, the resolution said.
It stressed that Negros Occidental is a sugar-producing province, and the barangay depends primarily on the sugar industry for its livelihood.
Muyco said they held a public hearing on the effects of HFCS to their livelihood and health.
“We also met with sari-sari store owners who all agreed to pass this resolution banning the sale of Coke products in our barangay,” he added.
Aaron Sorbito, chairman of the ARBs Sugar Farmers Federation-Kilusang Pagbabago-Negros Island Region, said the passage of the resolution is the concrete result of their group’s advocacy against the economic and health threats posed by HFCS to marginal sugar farmers.
“Barangay Talotog is just the beginning. Expect more barangays to declare a similar boycott soon,” said Sorbito. “We will continue educating our people in the grassroots about the ill-effects of HFCS.”
Optimistic
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he remains optimistic that the issue on HFCS will be settled soon as he pointed out that the beverage giant “promised” to utilize more local sugar in the manufacture of their products.
The Provincial Government has banned the sale and sponsorship of Coke products in the ongoing 24th Panaad sa Negros Occidental.
Marañon, asked if the Capitol will prohibit the sale of Coke in the province after the Panaad Festival, said he will wait for the next move of Coke.
“Basi mag bag-o pa ila batasan (they might change their old ways),” the governor said.
Other localities that banned Coca-Cola products in their festivals were Hinigaran, Isabela and La Carlota City while E. B. Magalona will declare Coke ban after its fiesta next week.
More than 40 restaurants and establishments in the province have also prohibited the sale of Coca-Cola products.
Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines executives said that it is utilizing 100 percent local sugar in its bottling plant in Bacolod City.