Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he trust that the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) officials will look out for the welfare of the planters amid concerns that the latest order granting the importation of 440,000 metric tons of sugar will drive down domestic millgate prices.
“I trust our sugar leaders, especially in the SRA who are composed of Negrenses, that they will be looking at the welfare of our planters, especially our small planters, who are a big majority right now,” Lacson said on Thursday, February 16.
“I’ve always said what’s important is to determine the right volume and the timing of the importation. Right now there seems to be a conflict as to the timing,” he added.
The Acting SRA Administrator is David John Thaddeus Alba, while Pablo Luis Azcona and Mitzi Mangwag are members of the board.
The SRA released Sugar Order No. 6, authorizing the importation of 440,000 MT of refined sugar on Wednesday.
It states that 200,000MT shall be allocated for the consumers and 240,000 MT will be for the country’s buffer stock.
The first arrival of 100,000 MT of refined sugar in the country will be as soon as possible, while the second 100,000 MT will arrive before April 1, the order said.
For the 240,000MT refined sugar for the buffer stock, it will arrive not earlier that April 1, the order added.*