The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) announced on Wednesday that roughly 4,000 metric tons of confiscated smuggled sugar had been sanctioned for sale at reduced prices in Kadiwa outlets.
According to SRA acting administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, this equates to approximately 4 million kilograms of sugar, which will be sold for P70 per kilogram. The announcement was made during a televised public briefing.
“‘Yung sa ngayon, ‘yung approved is 4,000 metric tons. That is about 4 million kilos,” Azcona said.
“Meron pa tayong naiiwan na nahuli na mga I think almost 6,000 [metric tons]. Hopefully, mare-release din ‘yun once it is proven safe and approved na for sale, for donation to Kadiwa,” he added.
SRA records and Department of Agriculture (DA) monitoring indicate that sugar is presently priced at P100 to P136 per kilogram in some establishments.
In addition to Kadiwa outlets, the SRA has expressed interest in offering the seized smuggled sugar for sale in supermarkets.
Azcona confirmed that the smuggled sugar sold in supermarkets would also be priced at P70, the same as those available at Kadiwa stores.
Kadiwa stores to sell 4,000 MT of smuggled sugar – SRA
“Sa ngayon, we’re actually finalizing kung paano natin ito gagawin kasi this [project] with big supermarket chains signified that they want to volunteer as base. Libre po ito. Magbibigay sila ng shelf space na talagang maging Kadiwa outlet siya. We will not sell sugar but other commodities as well,” he said.
The Kadiwa Center is a Department of Agriculture (DA) initiative designed to offer reasonably priced goods by empowering farmers to sell directly to consumers, bypassing middlemen and traders.
Last month, Sen. Risa Hontiveros criticized the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) plan to sell at least 4,000 metric tons of smuggled sugar for P70/kilo.
Hontiveros said she is more in favor of giving the smuggled sugar to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the unfortunate and victims of calamities.
The senator insisted the DA and SRA can also extend their collaboration with stakeholders in the local sugar industry to increase production yield.
“Hindi kailangang umasa ng Kadiwa stores sa mga puslit na asukal para mura ang benta nito. Kailangang sugpuin ang pribadong kartel sa asukal na nagpapataas ng presyo, dahil na rin sa kagagawan ng gobyerno,” said Hontiveros.
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