BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Monday, October 28, 2019

Former Rep. Alfredo Benitez, Negros Occidental provincial consultant on economic affairs, Saturday said a push is underway to boost the province's production of craft beer and other alcoholic drinks to further improve the local economy.

That is why the “1st Sugarlandia Craft Beer and Spirits Festival”, also called “Inom Ta”, was held at Paseo Verde in Mandalagan, Bacolod City, Saturday, he said.

The “Inom Ta” people’s choice awards at the festival went to the Alter Trade Passion Fruit Guyabano Calamansi Juice for best green and natural drink, LikodBalay Brown Ale for best craft beer, Ganoirim Ice Coffee of Herbanext – best non alcoholic cocktail, and Fresh Start Distileria Barako Mixed Cocktail MassKara Mojito – best alcoholic cocktail.

Benitez said he is aiming to bring in more outside investments to boost the province’s production of alcoholic drinks and for their sale in the global market.

Aside from rum, maybe we have a potential for beer, he said.

The Provincial Economic Development and Investment Center is promoting Ease of Doing Business, Benitez said, pointing out that one of the biggest hindrances of investment is usually government.

PEDIC is now organizing to be a one-stop-shop and is finishing a kit that will be sent to embassies around the world and the captains of industry, Benitez said, so they can start looking at Negros Occidental as a site for investments.

Joey Gaston, organizer of “Inom Ta”, said it was held to promote Negros Occidental’s locally-crafted beers, wines, and fruit juices, and provide their producers with a platform.

“Our aim is to promote Negros brands,” he said.

Gaston said people also need to know that Negros produces drinks, such as Don Papa, that are famous worldwide.

The participants in the festival included Hops/LikodBalay, Bogsbrew, Trapdoor, Quedan, Don Papa, Cafe Uma, Fresh Start, Iida Farms, Sir Jess, Alter Trade, Ginebra San Miguel, San Miguel Brewery, and Herbanext.*