TWO more local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental have answered the call to boycott Coca-Cola products in support of the sugar industry campaign against the use of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as an alternative sweetener.
The latest are Bago City and Binalbagan town.
Executive Order No. 20 issued by Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo on May 2 prohibits the promotion, advertisement, and sale of Coke products in specific areas and events in the city.
Among the areas in Bago where it is not allowed to sell and advertise Coke products are the City Hall, Bantayan Park, Bago City College, Bago City Sports Center, Manuel U. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center, Buenos Aires Mountain Resort, and other local government-owned facilities, the order said.
It also prohibited the sale and promotion of Coca-Cola products during purok, barangay, and city festivals and events.
Yulo, in the order, also appealed for public support. The mayor directed all barangay and city officials and employees to assist in the effort of informing their constituents the ill-effects of HFCS to human health and its importation and use as sweeteners by Coca-Cola.
The Department of Education is “strongly encouraged” to prohibit the advertisement and sale of Coca-Cola products in different schools in Bago, the order said.
Yulo said the duration of Coke ban in Bago will be until Coca-Cola stops using HFCS in its products and instead utilize locally-produced sugar as sweetener or until the sugar industry and its leaders have resolved the concern.
As a sanction, violators will be ordered to remove or keep the Coke products.
“Repeated violations shall justify confiscation in favor of the local government,” the order added.
Yulo said the economy and livelihood of his constituents are dependent on sugar industry, adding that “continuous refusal of Coca-Cola in purchasing locally-sourced sugar has resulted in the low prices of the said commodity to the detriment of producers, farmers, workers and their families.”
In Binalbagan, Mayor Emmanuel Aranda issued Executive Order No. 10 prohibiting the sale of Coke products in the 44th Balbagan Festival celebration on May 8 to 15.
The order said the Municipal Government is affirming its solidarity with the sugar industry’s protest against Coca-Cola for using HFCS.
Aranda said that Negros Occidental is a sugar-producing province and it depends primarily on the sugar industry for its livelihood.
“Coca-Cola’s importation of HFCS as primary sweetener for its products is a big insult to the sugar industry,” the mayor said in the order.
It added that the unabated entry of HFCS in the country has led to the drop in sugar prices.
In response, Emilio Yulo III, spokesperson of Sugar Alliance of the Philippines, said they are thankful for the continued support of the local chief executives in the province.
“We join their appeal to their constituents and Negrenses to stop patronizing beverage companies that use HFCS,” he added.
Last week's sugar composite price, which was P1,200 to P1,250 per 50-kilo bag, is already very alarming, he said, adding that “we hope that it will not worsen in the coming weeks especially since milling season is about to end and we are fast approaching Tiempo Muerto (or dead season).”
“We are hoping that other local government units will follow the lead of Mayor Yulo who has expanded the boycott in all government and public facilities and has strongly campaigned against Coca-Cola not just during festivities but until this multi-national will show their sincerity by supporting our local sugar growers,” he said.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. declared a Coke ban in this year's Panaad sa Negros Festival.
Others that declared a Coke boycott were La Carlota City, Hinigaran, Isabela and Pontevedra towns, and Barangay Talotog of Murcia town.