A lawmaker has filed a measure seeking sweeping reforms in the country’s sugar industry amid concerns over excessive importation, declining farmer incomes, and weak implementation of government support programs.
Senate Bill No. 2114 aims to strengthen the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), improve the management of industry funds, and establish safeguards to protect local sugar producers from unfair market competition.
Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said the sugar industry remains a vital pillar of Philippine agriculture, providing livelihood to around 88,000 sugarcane farmers nationwide and contributing to food security, renewable energy, and rural economic development.
Despite its significance, he noted that the industry continues to face long-standing structural issues that have weakened its competitiveness over the years.
Among the problems include over-importation, low farm productivity, outdated milling facilities, limited access to financing, poor infrastructure, and increasing pressure from global market competition.
Ejercito also criticized what he described as the weak implementation of the Sugar Industry Development Act of 2015 or SIDA Law, saying funds intended to modernize and support the industry have not been fully utilized.
He pointed out that utilization rates for SIDA programs reportedly ranged from only 10 percent to 18 percent, indicating shortcomings in planning, implementation, and the government’s capacity to carry out projects effectively.
The SIDA Law was designed to boost the growth and competitiveness of the sugar sector through productivity programs, infrastructure projects, research initiatives, and workforce development.
Ejercito likewise raised concerns over instability in sugar supply and pricing, which he said may have been aggravated by importation policies that contributed to oversupply in the market.
According to the senator, these conditions allegedly resulted in estimated foregone revenues of around P11.8 billion for the sugar industry, significantly affecting the income of farmers and threatening the sector’s sustainability.
The lawmaker also recently filed Senate Resolution No. 380 seeking an inquiry into the implementation of the SIDA Law to determine gaps in government support programs and identify ways to strengthen assistance for farmers and industry stakeholders.
In a separate move, he earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 369 calling for an investigation into alleged over-importation of sugar and its effects on local producers and market conditions.
Under the proposed bill, reforms would include a more inclusive governance structure within the SRA to ensure stronger representation for small farmers and other industry stakeholders in policy-making.
The measure also seeks to ensure that public funds are directed toward improving productivity, modernizing facilities, and expanding infrastructure support for the sugar sector.
The bill would institutionalize trade remedies and safeguards aimed at protecting the local sugar industry while remaining compliant with international trade obligations.
He said the proposed reforms are intended to help build a more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive sugar industry that can support economic growth while improving the lives of Filipino farmers and workers who depend on it.