THE Save the Sugar Industry Movement (SSIM) is vehemently opposing the attempt to resurrect the sugar import liberalization scheme by a beverage company, who will be lobbying to bring down the tax on beverage, its top official said.
Wennie Sancho, convenor of SSIM, said this will pave the way for the importation of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Sancho said they would like to register their resistance against the importation of HFCS by industrial users in lieu of the domestic sugar, which is the lifeblood of the province.
"It is a foregone conclusion that this importation of HFCS will be allowed, it will lead to the demise of the sugar industry," he added.
The labor leader reiterated that there are about 714,000 sugar and mill workers in Negros Occidental, along with 800,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and small farmers who will be adversely affected.
For the ordinary workers, the economic survival of their families is crucial. But even their basic and elementary needs could never be met if the sugar industry will collapse, he said.
Sancho, also the secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa), said the demise of the sugar industry will surely bring untold economic sufferings to the people.
"Workers joblessness will lead to dislocation of families, let alone lawlessness due to massive hunger and poverty," Sancho said.
That is why they had manifested their indignation in a massive rally against the beverage firm, he added.
SSIM recalled that, two years ago, they have sent a loud and clear message against HFCS importation.
"We shall not hesitate to do it again if they will not heed our call to stop the importation of HFCS," its convenor said, adding that "we want to prevent a situation that the workers will be restive."
In order to avert an impending economic disaster, various labor groups including Gawa, National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines, Congress of Independent Organizations, and Philippine Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Workers Union will merge and convene next month.
They will discuss strategies and interventions to stop the importation of HFCS and declare an HFCS-free sugar industry.
"The merger will also be a declaration of sugar workers solidarity in our struggle against sugar liberalization," Sancho said.