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Zubiri proposes increase in sugar farmers’ fund support: Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri on Monday, September 14, 2020, calls for an increase in the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) fund which was slashed from P2 billion to P500 million this year. Budget Sec. Wendel Avisado said that the cut was due to its underutilized fund. But despite the underspending, SIDA was given a 42.5 percent increase, hence, its allocation in next year's budget is P712 million. “I guarantee you secretary, during the hearing of the budget of the DA (Department of Agriculture), we will grill them. If we can get their commitments then we can work from there in terms of possible additional funding,” Zubiri said during the virtual budget hearing conducted by the Senate Finance Committee. (Screen grab/ Senate PRIB)