- GILBERT BAYORAN
Sugar Regulatory Administration head Pablo Luis Azcona said today, Aug. 28, that the fire incident at the Victorias Milling Company (VMC) had a minimal effect on the supply of sugar.
The fire at the raw sugar warehouse of VMC Sunday night, took place as the company is about to start its milling operations on Sept. 1.
Azcona, who visited the VMC, said he is optimistic that it will not hamper the efforts of the milling company to start operations.
“In hardship, greater things come out, and I know you guys will come out better,” Azcona told VMC officials.
As of this time, the VMC management has yet to determine the extent of damage caused by the fire.
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, accompanied by his nephew, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, also visited the fire scene, and thanked the firefighters from the different local government units for their immediate response.
“We hope and pray for the speedy recovery of VMC from this incident,” Rep. Benitez said in his Facebook post.
Based on the investigations of the Victorias City Police Station, the fire lasted for about five hours before it was put out by firefighters at 11:02 p.m. Sunday./GB
