Some congressmen objected to the sugar importation proposal at the hearing of the Committee on Agriculture and Food of the House of Representatives this Tuesday.
During the committee’s discussion, the price of refined sugar in Metro Manila has jumped to P65 per kilo from P48 in January.
According to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, they oppose the importation of sugar because it allegedly kills the local sugar industry.
“Napapansin ko nitong nakaraan, parang naging default mode na ng (Department of Agriculture) at ahensya nito ‘yong importation policy,” said Zarate.
“‘Pag sinabing nagkaroon ng kulang na suplay ng merkado sa galunggong, sabi ng mga mamamalakaya sapat naman, pero nag-import tayo ng galunggong,” he added.
Importance is the visible solution of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to fill the shortage of sugar supply. According to the Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations, the country’s sugar supply is up to 150,000 metric tons.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration plans to import about 200,000 metric tons of sugar due to the shortage of sugar supply when some refineries were damaged due to Typhoon Odette.
“With La Nina still coming in, this year’s production was also affected. As a result, projections of SRA have lowered compared to last year. I’m also against it, but we are not oblivious to the needs of the sugar industry,” said Raymond Montinola, president of the confederation.
Some lawmakers oppose sugar importation amid high prices
The intention to import sugar will be allocated to industrial users and food processors. Some companies also said their supply would be reduced in April.
For Deputy Speaker Arnie Teves, local sugar producers should also be considered even if some potential companies agree.
“It’s killing the poor people of Negros and other sugar-producing areas,” Teves said.
The SRA explained that the imported sugar would not go to the markets, but it will help to lower the market price.
“It will affect retail and wholesale prices because it will have a ripple effect on the general consuming public,” explained SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica.
This March, the first batch of sugar imported by the SRA was expected. Still, it was stopped due to a temporary restraining order filed based on a petition by sugar producers in Negros Occidental.
The committee again intends to hold a subsequent meeting regarding sugar imports.
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