Major supermarkets to sell sugar at P70 per kilo

MAJOR supermarkets in the country have heeded the call of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to lower the price of sugar to P70 per kilo.

Following Marcos’ order, Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez facilitated a series of discussions with the owners of Robinsons Supermarket, SM Supermarket, Puregold Supermarket and S&R Membership Shopping, all of which agreed to the suggested retail price of P70 per kilo of sugar from a high of P90 to P110 per kilo.

“The President lauded the selfless response from these businessmen who are sacrificing not just their own inventory but also their projected business profits for the sake of the ordinary Filipinos at this time when the country is besieged by many problems,” Rodriguez said.

“This is a classic display of the indomitable Filipino spirit of 'bayanihan' and love of country,” he added.

Rodriguez said SM stores have committed to selling their inventory on washed sugar at the said price per kilo while Robinsons pledged to unload a million kilograms of sugar at P70 per kilo, with one kilo per pack in Metro Manila.

Puregold said it will make available two million kilograms of refined sugar at the said price.

Rodriguez said this means there will be more than three million kilos of sugar at a lower price that will be available in the market next week.

A customer will only be limited to purchasing one kilo of sugar to avoid possible household hoarding.

The Department of Trade and Industry will monitor if the agreement is being followed.

Rodriguez said Victorias Milling Company also committed to helping traders in the food manufacturing industries by making available 45,000 sacks at 50 kilos per sack of bottler-grade sugar for soft drinks companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and RC Cola.

“This is to avert a possible temporary halt in their operations that could result in the displacement of their workers,” he said.

“Victoria’s milling also allotted 500,000 kilos of sugar for consignment in Kadiwa stores in the populated parts of the Visayas,” Rodriguez added.

The Office of the Press Secretary also said that Marcos met with members of the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (PCFMI) to discuss possible solutions to the country’s looming sugar supply shortage brought about by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in the Visayas in 2021, which destroyed sugarcane crops.

The PCFMI is the principal organization of manufacturers and distributors of food products in the Philippines. It is responsible for providing consumers with safe, nutritious and affordable processed food products compliant with local and international standards and regulations.

“Hopefully, we can get some concessions with the traders so that at least the pricing will be reasonable. The concern is the supply right now. I’ll make sure that there is sufficient supply in the country so that you can operate at full capacity,” Marcos said.

Marcos is also eyeing direct importation by food manufacturers as part of emergency measures to address current industry concerns. This will need the approval of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, which the President chairs. (SunStar Philippines)