SUGAR Board director Emilio Yulo III said the campaign against illegal smuggling is a top priority of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Yulo pointed out they have monitored and in fact, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently intercepted some smuggled sugar.
"It is hurting the industry especially with the coming opening of the milling season," Yulo said.
Yulo said SRA lauded BOC for the recent apprehension of several sugar smugglers.
The SRA is also scheduled to conduct a dialogue with the Philippine International Trading Corporation in the next few weeks in order to stop smuggling.
Yulo stressed the entry of smuggled sugar would have a disastrous effect on the local sugar industry, especially on the supply side.
He explained the supply of unregulated smuggled sugar would be an additional problem for producers since prices would go down.
Yulo said all ports in the country are potential entry points for smuggled sugar.
With the recent hike in the prices of sugar, the temptation to bring in smuggled sugar is very high and SRA has further strengthened coordination with BOC, he said.
Meanwhile, Yulo also requested the Department of Labor and Employment to urgently process their request for the release of the three percent share of labor for sugar farm workers.
He pointed out the three percent share of labor would be a big help to the workers, especially during this Tiempo Muerto or the dead season.