Negrense senatorial bet pushes for full Sida fund use

NEGRENSE lawyer Alex Lacson, who is running for senator under the ticket of Vice President Leni Robredo, has pledged to work out for the full utilization of the P2-billion Sugarcane Industry Development Act (Sida) fund.

Lacson, in a press conference at the Provincial Capitol’s Social Hall in Bacolod City Thursday, November 4, said only less than five percent of the P2-billion budget is allocated this year because of under utilization of the fund for the sugar industry.

He said if the P2-billion fund is fully utilized, it could subsidize sugar farmers and help ease the impact of skyrocketing price of fertilizers.

Lacson met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is his relative.

The governor assured him of his support, the senatorial aspirant said.

Aside from the governor, Third District Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko also expressed support to Lacson.

He described him as a good lawyer.

A native of Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, Lacson is also pushing for the passage of a law creating the Negros Island Region (NIR).

The short-lived 18th region in the Philippines was created through an Executive Order during the time of the late president Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

It was, however, abolished by President Rodrigo Duterte, citing budget constraints.

Besides being a lawyer, Lacson, who is running for senate for the second time, is also an author with his first book entitled "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do.”

He said he believes he will win this time because several organizations are supporting him which is also one of the reasons why Robredo included him in her lineup.