The newly reorganized Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is now crafting two new orders for the possible importation of sugar and allocation of local production of the sweetener for the next crop year.
Executive Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez disclosed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. convened the Sugar Regulatory Board (SRB) on Monday after the oath-taking ceremony of its three new members.
The SRB is the policy making body of the SRA.
It is now composed of Marcos as its chairman, SRA Acting Administrator David John Thaddeus Alba, while Pablo Luis Azcona and Ma. Mitzi Mangwag were appointed SRA board members to represent sugar planters and millers, respectively.
Rodriguez said among those discussed was Sugar Order (SO) No. 1, which will determine how much of the locally produced sugar will be for export or for local use for crop year 2022 to 2023.
Also discussed in the meeting were the details of the SO No. 2 for the proposed importation of 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.
“The allocation will be 75,000 metric tons for industrial and 75,000 metric tons for home consumption,” Rodriguez said in a Senate hearing last Tuesday.
Marcos already announced the plan for the government to import additional sugar by October to help augment the dwindling supply of sugar.
Malacañang attributed the “artificial” shortage of sugar to those who are hoarding the said commodity.
Aside from importation, other measures being implemented by the government to keep the price of sugar affordable was to secure the commitment of major supermarket chains to sell some of their inventory at a cheaper price and to go after hoarders.
Rodriguez said the government is determined to ensure Filipinos will have sufficient supply of sugar and other food commodities.
“There is nothing more important than food security…We have to achieve our goal to make sure no Filipino will be hungry. If we neglect this issue it could lead to social unrest,” Rodriguez said.
Image credits: ops.gov.ph