Medellin readies sugar mills

CEBU, Philippines - Sugar mills in Medellin, Cebu are now being readied for sugarcane harvest next month, signaling the town’s recovery from the devastation brought by super typhoon Yolanda.

With power restored already by the Cebu Electric Cooperative (Cebeco) II, the Bogo-Medellin Milling Company (Bomedco) is set to hold a dry-run on Wednesday to prepare for the harvesting of sugarcane on Dec. 2.

“Kung walay mga (If there are no) hitches, maka-start gyud ang milling season. This will help ease the suffering of the people,” said Vice Mayor Juan Alfonso Lim, a sugarcane planter.

 Lim said at least 80 percent of sugarcanes damaged by the super typhoon could still be salvaged if the milling season starts as scheduled.

 He said 60 percent of Medellin’s population is dependent on the sugar industry as workers.

 Start of the milling season also signals the rehabilitation of the people’s livelihood the typhoon, said Lim.

 There is no official report yet on the damage Yolanda caused on sugarcane plantations in northern Cebu but Lim estimated it to be around P400 million.

 Also, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez yesterday said Cebeco already restored power in most parts of their town, including BOMEDCO area, which made it possible for the mills to start running again.

 Bomedco is located in Barangay Luy-a, Medellin and employs hundreds of personnel.—(FREEMAN)