SENATOR Imee Marcos is calling for an immediate reshuffle of highest officials in the Department of Agriculture (DA) following the “unauthorized and fraudulent” issuance of an order seeking the importation of 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar.
In a statement, Marcos, the sister of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., said the issuance of the order, which was earlier tagged by Malacañang as “illegal,” justified that the importation of sugar “is ultimate proof that thick-faced smugglers are lording it over at the Department of Agriculture.”
“An immediate reshuffle of the DA’s highest officials is urgent, pending an investigation, to dismantle criminal syndicates within the government,” she added.
On Wednesday, August 10, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the President, who serves as chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board (SRB), disapproved the proposed importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.
She said the issuance of Sugar Order 4 for the said purpose was not authorized by Marcos.
Angeles said the administration is balancing importation to ensure to protect both the consumers and the local suppliers.
Currently, the prevailing price of sugar is at P90 per kilo, but some markets are selling it at P120 to P150 per kilo.
The low supply of sugar in the country was due to the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in the country last year that destroyed sugarcane crops in the affected areas.
Angeles also noted that harvest season is already coming by September.
Marcos decided to temporarily take the helm of the DA to address concerns related to the looming food crisis in the country.
He vowed to support and boost the capability of local suppliers, like farmers. (SunStar Philippines)