Bitterness is the taste of the sad news that one of the country’s sugar mills is halting operations due to huge losses. The decision of the company to stop its operation was too abrupt that those affected where caught in shock. Such closure would affect not just the sugar industry but the workers who are bound to lose their jobs and the income that supports the need of their respective family. That the closure came at a time when school days are still far from closure this current semester is untimely. It will result in many families falling deeper into the economic poverty threshold.

What makes the situation bitter is the reason cited by the company for its decision to cease operations which is the huge financial losses caused by the continued sugar importation. The ill effect is the drop of sugar prices due to unfair competition caused by the cheaper imported sugar. Bringing prices of locally produced sugar below the price of imported ones would really result in loses. Without any coping mechanisms in place, sugar manufacturers will be forced to absorb such losses.

But the adverse effect of such closure would be on the workers who will be suddenly jobless. The impact would be so drastic that the family of the workers would loss the source of income for their basic needs. The prospect of finding a new job is very nil as the workers would need to learn new knowledge and skills that other companies would require.

At a time when the worker had spent their prime years on a job in line with sugar production, it would be tough to learn on a new job.

What is revolting to the public mind is the reason of the closure of that sugar mill which is reportedly the huge losses it suffered due to the continued importation of sugar. All the while, people thought that there is a regulatory agency for the sugar industry that would protect the local sugar manufacturers. With an effective regulatory agency, the production of sugar by local manufacturers should not suffer losses in its operations.

It could be recalled that the sugar supply became an issue as prices skyrocketed beyond the normal selling prices in the market. There was a reported lack of supply from local producers and the stop gap solution was sugar importation. The issue prompted a senate investigation in aid of legislation. It was discovered during the hearings that the issuance of the order to import sugar was tainted with irregularity.

Nothing clear happened out of that senate probe. People would expect an update as the issue would be brought to the headlines due to the closure of one sugar mill that was reportedly caused by the continued government policy on sugar importation. The affected workers may soon bring their grievances to the proper forum. Meanwhile, people may suffer price increase of sugar’s bitterness.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

WE, of course, need laws. Otherwise, our world would be in chaos. But we have to learn the different kinds of laws and know the importance, coverage and effectiveness of these laws.

Offhand, we can distinguish between divine law and human law, the natural law, which more or less governs the material order of our life and the world in general, and the moral law that looks into the spiritual and supernatural dimensions of our human acts. There are, of course, many other subsets of these general laws.

At the outset, what we have to be clear about is that our human laws should try their best to reflect the spirit of the divine law which is the source of all laws. This is where some tricky things will have to be dealt with as best that we can.

That’s because the divine law would always contain some mysteries that would be challenging for us to decipher in a precise way. Thus, we have to be wary of considering our human laws as containing the final say or judgment about everything. They can only go so far, and they are always in need of regular updating, enrichment and the like.

To know, for example, the relationship between truth and charity, justice and mercy would require not only the power of our rationality but also the power of God’s grace, the power of faith. It requires nothing less than pursuing in a vital way the goal of identifying ourselves with God in Christ who, in the end, is the pattern of our humanity since we are God’s image and likeness, sharers of his divine life and nature.

So, we have to be wary of the danger of being trapped by our human laws. That’s when we consider these laws as the ultimate guide of our life. When these human laws miss or even just loosen their necessary connection with God, the ultimate lawgiver, there is no way but for them to fall into some kind of legalism.

This danger was shown quite often during the time of Christ on earth. He was often accused of violating the Sabbath law because he did some miraculous cures on that Sabbath day when the law then specified that the Sabbath day should strictly be a day of rest where no work, not even caring for the sick, would be allowed.

That was what happened when Christ cured a paralytic who was waiting for his turn to get into miraculous water of the pool of Bethesda. (cfr. Jn 5,1-16) We may find that episode funny now, but it happened many times before and similar cases continue to happen up to now.

We need to see to it that our legal system is always vitally connected to the divine law, to an intimate relation with God in Christ who, being the very personification of love, fulfills all law, just as St. Paul said: “Love does not wrong to a neighbor; therefore love (Christ) is the fulfilment of the law.” (Rom 13,10)

We have to be wary when we make, interpret and apply our laws without this necessary spirit of Christ. When we would just depend on our human estimation of things, we cannot help but fall into some anomalies, inconsistencies and the like. We really need to acknowledge our need for God in Christ in anything that has to do with our human laws.

Diversification: Encouraging diversification of crops can reduce the country’s heavy reliance on rice. Promoting other staple foods can enhance food security . Is there a need for this approach?

Today, I was feeling a bit feverish perhaps due to the very hot weather on a 70 Kilometer drive. Lunch was a needed respite to recharge and be ready for the task of teaching and even leading hundreds of faculty and employees.

The food that I have is Tinola, a generous Buraw-buraw in Bell Pepper and Chinese Pechay, however, there was no rice in the table. I was about to buy two cups of rice because the one cup of yesteryears is 2 cups nowadays. I ultimately decided against rice, I will consume the fish and the generous accompanying soup and its going to be just fine, I thought.

I was not mistaken, I feel okay and even full, no rice was consumed and I remember it may be a thing that I can be used to, no more rice diet.

Then I recall the news the other night, how rice was being used as a get rich scheme for the profiteers and hoarders . And how an agency is allegedly making millions due to the fact that they allegedly create practice that put the government in a disadvantage and the people, deprived of the staple food.

Here is a quick round up of web results about the Rice Situation on the country :
1. Rice Supply Situation:

o In December 2023 and January 2024, a total of 750,000 metric tons of imported rice arrived in the country 1.

o The country’s rice supply is currently sufficient through the first half of 2024, thanks to recent imports and the upcoming harvest that peaks in March and April 2.

o However, there are concerns about profiteers who may exploit the situation by hoarding rice supply and driving local prices unreasonably high 1.

2. Challenges and Hostage Situation:

o Rice is a staple food in the Philippines, and its importance cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, this overblown significance has allowed the rice sector to hold the rest of the country hostage to its short-term and short-sighted demands.

o The rice sector’s dysfunctional state has hindered progress in agricultural development, food security, and overall economic growth 3.

3. Potential Solutions:

o Transparency and Regulation: Stricter regulations and transparency measures are essential to prevent hoarding and price manipulation. Authorities should closely monitor rice supply chains and take action against profiteers.

o Diversification: Encouraging diversification of crops can reduce the country’s heavy reliance on rice. Promoting other staple foods can enhance food security.

o Investment in Agriculture: Investing in modernizing agriculture, improving irrigation systems, and supporting farmers can boost productivity and stabilize supply.

o Public Awareness: Educating the public about the importance of sustainable rice consumption and the need to avoid panic buying during shortages is crucial.

In all, I will go for alternatives to Rice, as it is even attributed to the high incidence of Diabetes and Hypertension. Perhaps, its time we unlearn the palate, hard but realizable . It can be healthier, too.!