A House leader is batting to have separate importation orders for the beverage industry so as not to affect the price of sugar in the local market, which has swelled to over P100 per kilo.
San Jose del Monte City lone Rep. Florida "Rida" Robes floated the proposal Saturday, Aug. 20 as she noted that imported refined sugar for the beverage industry accounts for more than 50 percent of the country’s consumption.
Robes chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which, along with the Committee on Agriculture, is set to probe the sugar importation mess. The joint panel already held a briefing on the issue last week.
“Since the beverage industry is consuming more sugar, it is also contributing to the consolidated demand for the country, hence the high cost of sugar in the retail market," she said.
Under the House leader's proposal, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) will be mandated to issue separate importation orders for the beverage industry and for local consumers so that these will not affect inflation.
Congress can a craft law allowing for sugar import re-classification, or, if the existing law that created the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) allows the re-classification of sugar importation so as not to affect retail price, 'then we have to choose the latter option", Robes said.
She further said that solons must ensure that the country has enough supply of sugar in the market, but at the same time protect the interests of sugar planters, millers, and consumers. She said any price spikes in the market must be prevented.
"We also have to ensure that the measure should prevent smuggling in the process,” the Bulacan lawmaker further said.
She also labelled the spike in the retail price of sugar as “artificial” but “unconscionable” that’s why “We (in the joint committees) want to know why it has increased that much.”