Malacañang on Thursday, August 18, confirmed the proposed 150,000 metric tons of sugar for importation amid its low supply in the country.
In a press briefing, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the supposed importation of 150,000 metric tons of sugar was due to the need of industries for their production.
“ila po ang gumagamit (They are the ones utilizing) in commercial quantities, in large commercial quantities ng asukal (of sugar) and some jobs are dependent on their continued production. So yes po, kinoconfirm natin na ‘yun ang (we are confirming the) proposed amount, 150,000 metric tons,” she said.
Angeles disclosed such after the meeting of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and sugar industry stakeholders.
Asked when such importation should proceed, she said there was no information yet.
In a recently-uploaded vlog, Marcos, who heads the agriculture department, said may import sugar by October should the supply run out.
He mentioned that the country will import around 150,000 metric tons of sugar.
The chief executive also said the country’s sugar supply is still enough.
It is worth noting that the Sugar Regulatory Administration or SRA has earlier warned that the country’s sugar supply may run out by August should the government prohibit the importation of sugar.