THE sugar industry leaders and stakeholders are prepared to work alongside government agencies to help in curbing inflation.
Confederation of Sugar Producers national president Ferdinand Marañon issued this statement after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Administrative Order (AO) 13, removing non-tariff barriers and streamlining administrative procedures on the importation of agricultural products, amid soaring prices of basic goods and prime commodities.
For weeks now, the sugar industry has been in constant dialogue with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to come up with programs and mechanisms that will directly benefit the consuming public, Marañon said.
At present, sugar supply and prices in the country are stable and with the commencement of the milling season, this will further ensure market stability, he said.
“We are assured that the DA and SRA will perform its mandate to look after the welfare of the industry as well as that of the consuming public and we are confident that the programs we are working on will be of great help to our administration,” he said.
Under AO 13, inked on September 21, Duterte emphasized the "urgent need" to tame price spikes of basic agricultural commodities, in a bid to "address the shortfall on supply and ensure stable prices of agricultural products in the local markets."
Duterte said the AO would take effect immediately.
"Non-tariff barriers and certain administrative constraints, procedures and fees unduly add to the costs of importation and limit supply, which in turn, push up the prices of agricultural commodities to the detriment of Filipino consumers, especially the poor," AO 13 read.
Non-tariff barriers, otherwise known as non-tariff measures, are restrictions to imports or exports through means other than the imposition of tariffs. These take the form of import quotas, import permits, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and product standards, among others.
The AO effectively streamlined procedures and requirements in the accreditation of importers and minimize the processing time of applications for importation.
It also exempted traders who already have accreditation in registration requirements.
Duterte's AO 13 also ordered the importation of certain agricultural products beyond their authorized minimum access volume. If applicable, fees would also be reduced or removed to ensure the sufficient supply of agricultural products in the market at more affordable prices.
It also sought to temporarily allow direct importation by sugar-using industries to lower input cost, "as may be necessary" and "subject to reasonable regulations." (with reports from SunStar Philippines)