THE United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed), one of the biggest federations of sugar planters in the country, has lauded the move of Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Imee Marcos in calling for a Senate inquiry into the importation of agricultural products, including sugar.
The sugar group also thanked Negros Occidental Provincial Board for its unanimous objection to sugar importation while milling is at its peak.
Unifed president Manual Lamata, in a statement Wednesday, February 16, said they are thankful for "our champions in the Senate" for their strong stance against ill-planned sugar importation and for seeking an inquiry into the "questionable importation" program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA)."
On Monday, February 14, Zubiri filed Senate Resolution 995 to investigate the issuance of Sugar Order 3 (SO3) that allows the importation of 200,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.
In his resolution, the Negrense senator directed the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on allowing the importation of sugar even at the height of the harvest and milling season, as well as importation programs of the Department of Agriculture on other agricultural products with the end in view of crafting policy that will ensure support for farmers and food security instead of import dependency.
Marcos on Sunday, February 13, also assailed the DA's importation program, particularly on fish produce and "regrets" endorsing the confirmation of Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
Marcos, in a press statement, said "Dar has done nothing but import rice, chicken, pork, fish, and now sugar."
Earlier, the Provincial Board of Negros Occidental passed of a resolution objecting to SO3.
"We are very thankful to our provincial officials for supporting our call," Lamata said, adding that "they clearly understand that sugar remains as our economic lifeline and anything that affects the industry will have a major impact in our lives here."
The resolution stated that the timing of the entry of the imported sugar into the Philippines will coincide with the ongoing milling season, which will severely affect the income of sugar farmers who at the moment are reeling from the prohibitive cost of fertilizer and fuel.
"Only a week before the issuance of SO3, the SRA administrator has come out saying that there was no reason for prices to increase since supply is stable despite the effects of Typhoon Odette," it stated, adding that "in effect, Administrator Serafica, has directed monitoring on prices if needed, impose appropriate sanctions on sellers."
The Provincial Board believed that allowing industrial users alone to participate in the import program, to the exclusion of consumers, end-users and sugar producers is detrimental to the consumers, sugar farmers and other stakeholders of the sugar industry.
With the influx of imported sugar, the sugar producers who are still reeling from the destruction of their plantations and facilities will have to carry the added burden of competing with cheaper prices of the imported sugar, it said.
"Hence, excluding sugar producers in the sugar import program is an added insult to the injury, it added.
The federation members, who earlier said there is "something fishy" with SO3, were recently granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against SO3 for 20 days.
For his part, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said Resolution 0126 Series of 2022 was unanimously approved by the SP during its regular session on Tuesday, February 15.
The province will not allow the importation of 200,000 MT of sugar at this time where milling season is still at its peak, he said.