A senator has joined sugar industry groups in calling for immediate reforms within the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), warning that excessive sugar importation is hurting local farmers and weakening the domestic industry.
Concerns were raised over Sugar Order No. 8, which increased the volume of imported sugar allowed into the country from 150,000 metric tons to 424,000 metric tons.
According to the senator, the influx of imported sugar has significantly lowered market prices, making imported products 40 to 50 percent cheaper than locally produced sugar.
“Dahil sa oversupply ng imported na asukal, talagang mababa ang presyo niyan, at dahil sa kagustuhan ng tao na makamura, mas pipiliin nilang bilhin yung imported,” Senator Imee Marcos said in a statement released Wednesday.
She warned that the continued oversupply is taking a heavy toll on the local sugar sector, particularly on farmers and producers struggling to compete with cheaper imports.
Citing available industry data, the solon said the local sugar industry has already suffered an estimated P12 billion in losses due to falling prices caused by imported sugar. Of the total amount, around P7.5 billion reportedly came from economic losses in Negros, the country’s top sugar-producing region.
The senator said the government should prioritize protecting local agriculture instead of allowing policies that could damage the industry.
“Hindi dapat tayo nag-i-import na ikapipinsala ng sariling produkto at ng mga magsasakang nagpapakahirap dito. Tayo mismo ang pumapatay sa industry ng asukal,” she said.
Marcos also backed calls from sugar stakeholders for reforms in the SRA board, amid growing concerns over the impact of importation policies on the long-term survival of the local sugar industry.