The Sugar Council on Thursday, May 7, rallied industry stakeholders to unite behind House Bill No. 9088, introduced by Rep. Javier Miguel L. Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District).
The TUBO Act of 2026 (Tunay na Ugnayan Buhay at Oportunidad sa Asukal), which aims to strengthen the sugar industry by expanding the mandate and composition of the sugar regulatory administration, rationalizing the allocation of the sugar industry development fund, and institutionalizing systems for trade remedies and climate adaptation, is seen as a way forward for the sugarcane industry in the wake of the current injurious crisis, the Sugar Council said in a press statement.
“The TUBO Act of 2026 advocates additional safeguards in order to protect the industry from opportunists taking advantage of loopholes in the current law,” the Sugar Council said.
“Calling stakeholders to rally behind it is precisely the kind of unity we in the Sugar Council advocate. We want a brand of unity that is not only lip-service, but unity that actually brings advantages to the vast majority”, the statement said.
The Sugar Council said it has been at the forefront of promoting unity in the industry as evidenced by numerous efforts.
“At the start of the year, the Sugar Council initiated the manifesto of sugarcane stakeholders on the entry and use of artificial sweeteners in the country. The manifesto, endorsed by SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona to Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu-Laurel on January 30, 2026, was signed by all federation leaders, bar none. Nothing speaks louder about unity than that”, it said.
The Sugar Council also said that “in March all federation leaders again came together to endorse the government-led buying program to the Agriculture Secretary. This program, designed to stabilize mill gate prices, was conceptualized by CONFED and first presented by the Sugar Council to Sec. Tiu-Laurel as early as 2024”.
It said on May 5 two federations accused the Sugar Council of sabotaging industry unity by calling for the ouster of the Sugar Board.
“On the contrary, we have been building unity,” the Sugar Council said.
“Unity cannot be limited to what is convenient for a few. For unity to work for all, it must be willing to protect the majority,” it said, as it called on industry stakeholders to support the proposed law of Benitez that will bring positive and lasting change to the industry.*
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