• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Aiming to empower local sugarcane farmers, the Victorias City government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Sugar Research Institute Foundation, Inc. (PHILSURIN) on June 26, in advancing sugarcane productivity.
Through the partnership, the Victorias City government and PHILSURIN aim to introduce appropriate farming technologies and new high-yielding, climate-resilient sugarcane varieties to sugarcane farmers in Victorias.
The collaboration, according to Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, is expected to boost farm productivity, improve the income of farmers, and further strengthen Victorias City’s sugar industry.
In his speech during the signing of MOU, Benitez underscored the importance of research in advancing the agricultural sector, particularly the sugar industry.
Benitez said the partnership signifies a progressive step toward improving sugarcane production and securing better economic opportunities for local farmers, as he also shared plans to conduct a town hall meeting with farmers, planters, and the City Agriculture Office to align future initiatives under the agreement.
PHILSURIN Chairman of the Board Francis De La Rama expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting its potential to serve as a model for effective cooperation between local government units and the private sector in revitalizing the sugarcane industry.
The MOU was formally signed by Mayor and Congressman-elect Javier Miguel Benitez, Mayor-elect Abelardo Bantug III, PHILSURIN Chairman of the Board Francis De La Rama, and PHILSURIN Regional Coordinator Bernie Dequinto.*
