THE Malacañang tagged on Thursday, August 11, 2022, the issuance of the Sugar Order No. 4, which seeks the importation of 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar, as “illegal.”
In a press conference, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who serves as the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board (SRB), did not authorize anyone to sign on his behalf or issue such an order.
“This resolution is illegal. The chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. As such chairman, he sets the date of any meetings and convening of the Sugar Regulatory Board and its agenda. No such meeting was authorized by the President nor such a resolution was likewise authorized," Angeles said.
Angeles said all those who signed the order will be under investigation, including Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian.
"An investigation is ongoing to determine whether any acts that would cause the President to lose trust and confidence in his officials can be found or if there is malice or negligence involved. In such a case, if such findings are made, then the only determination left will be how many heads will roll," she added.
On Wednesday, Angeles said Marcos has rejected the proposal for the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.
This came minutes after the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) issued Sugar Order No. 4, indicating that the total volume of sugar that may be imported shall not exceed 300,000 MT to address the diminishing supply in the country.
It said that as of July 31, the actual production of raw sugar was 1,792,102 MT and actual production of refined sugar was 737,254, lower by 16.18 percent and 2.84 percent, respectively as compared to its level in 2021.
The SRA projects raw sugar production at 1.8 million metric tons for crop year 2021-2022, which is 16 percent lower from production last season of 2,143,018 metric tons.
The prevailing price of sugar is currently at P90 per kilo, much higher than its suggested retail price.
Angeles maintained that the importation is a sensitive matter that the government is taking great care with.
“It is a balancing act. The importation has to be carefully studied to protect both the consumer against the rising prices of commodities while ensuring, at the same time, that we do not destroy the local industry,” she said. (SunStar Philippines)