Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said Friday, August 21, that he is working for the immediate passage of two measures pending before the House of Representatives to address the needs of the sugarcane industry.
Benitez chairs the House technical working groups (TWGs) on proposed amendments to Executive Order No. 18, which created the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and Republic Act No. 10659, or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015.
He said consultations with industry stakeholders are being conducted to guide the TWGs.
Among the proposals are expanding the SRA’s regulatory authority to cover sugar substitutes; broadening the composition of its governing board to include small-scale farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, farm workers, and consumer groups; and institutionalizing consultative bodies to provide formal platforms for policy formulation.
Benitez also reiterated the need for a unified industry approach against the red-striped soft scale insects that have been devastating sugarcane crops.*
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