Decision to import sugar slammed

GABRIELA party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas on Friday slammed the government’s latest move to import 440,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar, saying it will have a severe impact on the local sugar industry.

Brosas added that the rampant sugar importation will cause massive loss of livelihood for thousands of sugar farmers and workers in the country.

“We’ve seen the negative effects of over-importation of agricultural products to rice farmers when former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the Rice Liberalization Law. And now, the Marcos Jr. administration wants to sabotage the local sugar industry by importing 440,000 metric tons of sugar despite opposition from local farmers,” said Brosas.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration Board has issued Sugar Order 6 allowing the importation of 440,000 MT of sweeteners.

“This anti-farmer and anti-worker move will lead to massive loss of jobs and livelihood amid the economic crisis. Worse, it will not even control the ongoing decline in the country’s sugar production and increasing prices of sugar in the market,” Brosas added.

Brosas noted that on Dec. 15, 2022, the Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. (Cadpi), the second largest azucarera in Luzon, closed due to operational and financial challenges.

“The most effective solution to this issue is for the government to provide subsidies for the operations of local sugarcane planters. President Marcos Jr. must veer away from his addiction to importation and subsidize the costs of fuel and fertilizers, which have been rising for many years,” she added.

Brosas has filed House Resolution 785 to conduct an inquiry on the closure of Cadpi and its effects on sugar workers and farmers in Batangas.