Sugar planters, farm workers give add’l P.5M aid to typhoon victims
BACOLOD CITY — Heeding the call of sugar industry leaders, member planters and farm workers of the Confederation of Sugar Producers Negros-Panay chapter, mobilized their own resources and turned over P500,000 yesterday for victims of Typhoon Ondoy.
Confed Negros-Panay Chairman, Reynaldo Bantug said they will continue to campaign among member associations to give more donations whether in cash or kind.
“We all need to respond to this crisis and show our countrymen in Metro Manila and Luzon that we here in Negros understand and feel for what they are going through,” Bantug said.
CONFED National President, Federico Locsin III meanwhile said that on top of what Negros farmers and workers are giving, the national office has mobilized other sugar groups in various parts of the country to do their share and give whatever they can for the typhoon victims.
“We have accepted the 1,000 sacks of sugar worth more than P1.2 million from Negros planters and we will turn it over to Sugar Regulatory Administrator Rafael Coscolluela for endorsement to the proper agencies,” Locsin said.
Confed Trustee, Bernardo Trebol also said that they will coordinate with the Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI) on the possibility of extending a medical mission in Metro Manila, particularly in hard-hit areas.
Bantug said their office will continue accepting donations, not just from sugar planters and farm workers but also from other Negrenses and Bacolodnons who would want to help Ondoy victims.
“This is the time when the private sector should come together and help government address this crisis,” Bantug added as he thanked the immediate responses from the various sugar associations, particularly the farm workers who “gave what they can despite the little they have.”