Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) filed House Bill No. 9088 on Tuesday, May 5, seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s sugar industry to protect farmers from market volatility and over-importation.
Dubbed the “TUBO Act of 2026” (Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal), the measure proposes sweeping amendments to the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA) of 2015 to stabilize production and supply.
Benitez said that the legislation aims to establish a more responsive, data-driven, and inclusive framework for the sugar industry, which remains a vital source of livelihood for rural communities.
The bill addresses persistent volatility in production, pricing, and supply—issues that stakeholders attribute to regulatory gaps, inconsistent import policies, and poor program implementation, a press statement from the office of Benitez said.
Under the bill, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) would have expanded authority to regulate not only sugar but also sugar substitutes, such as high-fructose corn syrup and other caloric and non-caloric sweeteners.
The measure seeks to close regulatory loopholes that industry groups say have fueled oversupply and market distortions.
These distortions, often driven by over-importation, have historically placed heavy downward pressure on farmgate prices, the press statement said.
To ensure more balanced decision-making, House Bill No. 9088 also proposes a more inclusive SRA Governing Board, adding representatives from sugar millers, planters, refineries, small farmers, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), field and mill workers, and industrial users.
The bill further mandates regular stakeholder consultations and requires the publication of all industry data and policy decisions to improve transparency.
It restructures the allocation of SIDA funds, prioritizing investments in climate change adaptation, infrastructure, research and development, and direct support for mechanization and precision agriculture.
To stabilize the market, the measure introduces data-driven triggers for sugar importation, allowing imports only when domestic supply falls below defined buffer stock levels or is projected to be insufficient to meet demand.
The bill also proposes an 18-month moratorium on commercial sugar imports, subject to exceptions only during extreme supply shortages.
In addition to market stabilization, the measure includes essential safety nets for the workforce, such as a price support mechanism, emergency cash assistance for affected farmers, subsidies for farm inputs, and a temporary loan relief program for small planters.
It also outlines stricter monitoring protocols to curb smuggling and ensure accurate industry reporting.
By integrating value-added industries and modernizing farm practices, the TUBO Act aims to ensure the long-term global competitiveness of the Philippine sugar industry while protecting the welfare of its primary stakeholders, the press statement said.*
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