US AMBASSADOR to the Philippines Harry Thomas said Negros Occidental is closely intertwined with the United States because of the province’s sugar industry.
Sugar accounts for almost 80 percent of Negros Occidental’s gross domestic product. The province’ sugar output accounts for about half of the national total sugar production, a portion of which is earmarked annually for export to the United States under the US export quota program which amounts to approximately 140,000 metric tons annually. Thomas made the statement during his courtesy call on Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Provincial Capitol over the weekend.The ambassador was in Bacolod City to attend the 3rd Bacolod Jazz Festival. The governor treated Thomas a sampling of Negros delicacies and gave him a package of the food stuff as parting gift during the envoy’s courtesy call. "This is my second trip to Bacolod City, the sugar capital of the Philippines with great delicacies and softball champions," Thomas said. He previously visited Bacolod last November 2010 when he swore in some US Peace Corp Volunteers who just arrived in the country. Also present during the US ambassador’s visit to the governor were Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez, Board Members Melvin Ibañez, Salvador Escalante and Miller Serondo and Sun.Star Bacolod president Jaime Golez. In a brief press conference at the Capitol, Thomas declined to comment about the impeachment trial against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. "The United States of America takes no stand on the matter, as it is an internal matter for the Philippines," he said. He also gave no comment on reports posted on WikiLeaks and attributed to two previous US ambassadors to the Philippines who allegedly stated that Philippine bank secrecy laws are antiquated and among the strictest in the world. Thomas said the Bacolod Jazz Festival is a great testament to American and Filipino music and culture. He also promoted the upcoming three-day American music festival in Iloilo slated March 2 to 4. The US envoy also met with some student leaders who were former exchange scholars at Illinois University. Moreover, Thomas paid a courtesy call on Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the Bacolod Government Center where he was warmly welcomed by the mayor, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Councilors Em Ang, Caesar Distrito, El Cid Familiaran and Al Victor Espino. Thomas referred to Leonardia as the lucky charm of world boxing icon Saranggani Representative Manny Pacquiao. Leonardia said he reiterated his invitation for the envoy to come for the MassKara festival. Thomas replied that he would include it in his calendar, Leonardia said. “I believe that it will be a sure thing that he will come for the MassKara festival. That’s great news when we talk about our campaign for Balik Bacolod. I am sure that will make him an extra attraction to our balikbayans to come home,” he said. He added that this is going to be the first time that a US Ambassador will be the guest of honor during the MassKara. “There is so much to look forward for the MassKara festival. Remember that I launched the 2012 MassKara festival when I closed the 2011 MassKara festival. This is going to be the 33rd year and it’s a good number and for sentimental reasons. This is going to be my last festival as City Mayor. We are trying to make it a MassKara we will long remember,” he said. “I believe he likes Bacolod and Negros Occidental. We are very happy that he is very supportive of the activities in Bacolod, just like the Jazz concert which was held last Saturday night. They were the one of the major sponsors,” Sayson said. Carla N. Canet and Teresa Ellera Sun Star Bacolod
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