TOBOSO town is the latest local government unit in Negros Occidental to join the campaign to boycott Coca-Cola products which contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
This was confirmed on Thursday, June 8, by Mayor Richard Jaojoco, who issued an executive order prohibiting the sale of Coca-Cola products in their annual town fiesta from June 9 to 13.
The order signed on May 29 said the town residents are dependent on the sugar industry, and the importation of HFCS has adverse effects on its local economy, and the labor sector.
“Our local government unit is affirming its solidarity with the sugar industry considering the small farmers and other beneficiaries and their families who will greatly suffer as they are highly dependent on sugar for their livelihood,” it added.
The Sangguniang Bayan also passed a resolution appealing to the public to prohibit the sale of Coke products at the town plaza during the Sag-ahan Festival.
Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. first declared a Coke ban in this year's Panaad sa Negros Festival, which prompted other localities to follow. These were Hinigaran, Isabela, La Carlota City, Pontevedra and Barangay Talotog of Murcia town, E. B. Magalona, Bago City and Binalbagan.
Earlier, former vice governor Emilio Yulo III, spokesperson of Sugar Alliance of the Philippines, said they will only stop the call to boycott Coke products if the beverage firm can translate its commitment to buy local sugar.
Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines had sought the nullification of the sugar order regulating the importation of HFCS, but they later withdrew the case.
It came five days after the Sugar Anti-Smuggling Organization filed an outright smuggling complaint against the beverage company following its alleged HFCS importation after the March 10 effectivity of the sugar order without clearance from the Sugar Regulatory Administration. (MPE)