Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. assured sugar industry stakeholders that importation remains a tool for market and price stabilization, rather than a primary administration policy.
Tiu Laurel made the statement during the 72nd Philippine Sugar Technologists Association annual national convention, which ended Friday, according to a news release.
“Sugar importation is not the policy of this administration. It is a tool for price and market stabilization to be used when necessary and under clearly defined circumstances,” he said.
“In future importations, we will just import just enough for what the country needs. Not more, not less.”
He cited the current policy, wherein import allocations are earned through the purchase of local sugar, as the first and most transparent mechanism in the industry’s history, stripping officials of discretionary allocation power.
“Our fundamental policy remains clear. We want a Philippine sugar industry that is stronger, more productive, more competitive and more self-reliant,” he said.
The sector is facing high production costs, rising input prices, labor shortages, limited financing, climate change and the infestation of the red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI).
To tackle the outbreak, Tiu Laurel said a national task force will be formed under the DA and Sugar Regulatory Administration.
He said the task force will unify and consolidate all RSSI-related efforts and guide farmers on government assistance and control protocols.
The DA has allocated PHP300 million for 2027 to set up municipal biological agent laboratories and incubation centers in sugar-growing areas to counter potential pest resurgences.
“When we see a labor shortage, let us see an opportunity for mechanization. When we see climate risks, let us see an opportunity for climate-smart agriculture. When we see low productivity, let us see an opportunity for science, technology and yes, a little more innovation than we have had in the past,” he said.
He underscored that technological advancements must directly translate to improved income for local growers and build an industry that can anticipate problems and adapt quickly. (PNA)
