BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental is bracing for a world food crisis that is warned by experts to take place before the end of 2022.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said that he already ordered the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) to come up with recommendations.
That something we have really to address, Lacson said, stressing that he already held preliminary talks with the OPA.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar earlier warned that consumers will feel more of the food crisis toward the last few months of 2022 as the months-long standoff between Ukraine and Russia continue to disrupt the shipment of food items across the globe.
We will do our best to avoid a food shortage, not only in Negros Occidental, but worldwide, Lacson said.
“These are difficult times that we are about to face and we already facing,” he said, stressing that Negros Occidental is not 100 percent self-sufficient in terms of food production, especially rice.
MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES
Lacson also said that the implementation of a new wage hike of an additional P90 per day, which previously ranged from P20 to P30 a day, may also have an effect on the sugar industry.
He said that a lot of sugar farmers who are leasing farms, may let go after this crop year due to increased cost of production, due to soaring prices of fertilizers and fuel.
The question is, are the owners ready to continue the operation of those farms, he asked.
Some business groups have issued an appeal to reconsider the P90 daily wage hike in Western Visayas.
It is the right of the business sector to make an appeal, Lacson said, adding that he is not sure if it the decision of the Regional Tripartite Wages Productivity Board is appealable.
DOLE regional director Sixto Rodriguez disclosed on Sunday that they are closely monitoring various companies and businesses in the region for compliance with the new wage order that took effect June 5.
Should there be any complaints, we will entertain it, Rodriguez said.
Anticipating that not all employers will comply, he said they will give them time to comply.*
