The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is pushing for the restoration of the P2 billion Sugar Industry Development Program fund for 2024, its acting administrator Pablo Azcona said Friday, July 28.
The approved allocation in the proposed 2024 budget is P1 billion and the SRA is hoping the amount will be increased, he said.
Republic Act Act 10659 or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015 states that the Department of Budget and Management should allocate P2 billion a year to promote the competitiveness of the sugarcane industry and improve the incomes of farmers and farm workers through improved productivity, product diversification, job generation, and increased efficiency of sugar mills.
The P1 billion approved proposed budget for 2024 states that farm-to-mill roads will be allocated P485,000,000, bridge construction – P15,000,000, bloc farms program – P150,000,000, socialized credit program – P150,000,000, research, development and extension program – P150,000,000 and human resource development program – P50,000,000, Azcona said.
The SRA that is pushing for a larger amount has submitted a detailed proposal to the Department of Budget and Management, he said.
The approved budget for the sugar industry under the 2023 General Appropriations Act is P1 billion.
Allocated for 2023 for farm-to-mill roads is P480,800,000, bridge construction – P19,200,000, bloc farms program – P166,224,000, socialized credit program – P150,000,000, research, development and extension program – P150,000,000 and human resource development program – P33,776,000.*