Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is calling on the national government to protect the local sugar industry and public health amid the increasing importation of artificial sweeteners.
The sugar industry of Negros Occidental continues to face serious pressures that call for thoughtful and balanced policy responses, Lacson said in a statement issued Monday, Jan. 26.
“As the country’s major sugar-producing province, we are particularly concerned about recent developments in the local sugar and sweetener market and their implications on economic sustainability, consumer protection, and public health”, he said.
“We respectfully stress the importance of balanced regulation—one that protects and promotes public health, ensures informed dietary choices, and at the same time, safeguards that local agricultural industries are not disproportionately disadvantaged”, he said.
Lacson said available import data show a steady increase in the volume of unregulated artificial sweeteners entering the country.
Imports increased from 355,196 metric tons in 2021 to 448,499 metric tons in 2022, further rising to 473,029 metric tons in 2023, 493,048 metric tons in 2024, and 427,523 metric tons in 2025, he said.
For sugar-producing provinces like Negros Occidental, these volumes inevitably affect demand for locally produced sugar, placing pressure on prices and income across the value chain—from farmers and mill workers to transporters and small rural enterprises that depend on the industry, Lacson said.
Alongside the economic impact, there is a public health aspect that warrants careful, science-based consideration, consistent with the principles upheld by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), he said.
Certain artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, which is 600 times sweeter than natural sugar, are permitted for use within established safety limits, Lacson said.
However, DOH and FDA aligned guidance consistently emphasizes the importance of moderation, proper labeling, and informed consumer choice, he pointed out.
The governor said the increasing presence of high-intensity sweeteners in the food supply underscores the need to ensure that:
· Consumers are clearly informed through accurate labeling;
· Products comply strictly with acceptable daily intake and safety standards; and
· The cumulative effects of widespread and long-term consumption, especially among children and vulnerable groups.
Lacson called on the national government and concerned agencies to:
· Review import volumes and policies governing artificial sweeteners;
· Ensure proper classification;
· Strengthen coordination among economic and health agencies, including the DOH and FDA, in assessing market and consumption impacts; and
· Adopt measures that support the continued viability of the local sugar industry, while safeguarding consumer welfare.
Protecting the sugar industry of Negros Occidental is inseparable from protecting rural livelihoods, food security, and public health, the governor said.
“Through constructive dialog and evidence-based policy action, we believe it is possible to strike a fair and sustainable balance that serves both producers and consumers”, Lacson said.
UNIFED THANKS GUV
Manuel Lamata, United Sugar Producers Federation president, who along Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona met with the governor last week to raise the alarm over the increasing importation of artificial sweeteners, thanked the governor for his statement.
“UNIFED would like to thank the governor for alerting the national government to the unabated entry of imported sweeteners, such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, and other laboratory-grown chemical alternatives,” Lamata said.
He emphasized the potential health risks associated with these substitutes.
“These sweeteners are detrimental to the health of Filipinos. They are linked to serious side effects, including cancer,” he said.
Lamata further stated that if beverage firms continue to prioritize artificial sweeteners over natural sugar, UNIFED will request the governor and the provincial government to ban the sale of such products in Negros Occidental.
“We in the sugar industry will support this call. Buy local, buy Filipino,” Lamata said.*