Gov’t eyes tenants’ use of Luisita sugar mill

MANILA, Philippines—Hacienda Luisita will not go out of business entirely.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said his department and the Department of Agrarian Reform will ask the management of the sugar mill to open it to farmer-beneficiaries who would like to engage in sugar cane farming.

Alcala said the agriculture department was willing to intervene in behalf of the farmers to open the mill again once the Supreme Court decision to distribute to the tenants becomes final.

The hacienda has one of the largest sugar mills on Luzon. “It would help the farmers because of economies of scale,” Alcala said.

Alcala said farmers who want to use the mill could pay a fee to the management under a toll system negotiated by the parties.