The Negros Occidental provincial government will oppose any move to allow the importation of sugar without orders from the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday, July 19.
Allowing the uncontrolled entry of imported sugar would be “like a tsunami hitting us” because it would cause the drop in domestic farmgate prices, he said.
It could also halt the buying of domestic sugar, Lacson added.
Lacson, who met with Senator Risa Hontiveros Tuesday afternoon, said he agreed with her that if that happens to the sugar industry, it could happen to all other agricultural products.
“We can’t accept the statement of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin that you don’t need an sugar, order anymore to import sugar otherwise it will be open season for importation of agricultural products,” Hontiveros said.
Lacson said importation of sugar should pass through the SRA that is tasked with its regulation.
The governor said he expects sugar industry leaders to go against any move to allow importation without a SRA order, although it probably was just the personal opinion of the executive secretary.*