Zubiri seeks 'win-win' solution for sugar farmers producers
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri on Tuesday, May 23, expressed his support for the sugar industry and the sugar farmers.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged irregularities on sugar importation under Sugar Order No. 6. (Senate PRIB Photo)
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on sugar importation under Sugar Order No. 6, Zubiri noted that the farmers, 90 percent of whom are agrarian reform beneficiaries, are most affected when there is fluctuation in sugar pricing. He said that when the sugar industry is no longer a viable business because of the lack or absence of millers, farmers tend to shift to other crops, which would result in high price of the commodity. “So unless we address this issue, we will have a problem really in sugar production in the Philippines and we will always be importing,” the Senate leader said. According to Zubiri, there is a need to “strike a balance both from the farmers, the producers, the millers and of course the market for the people.” To avoid controversy in the importation of sugar, Zubiri stressed that there should be transparency in the importation of sugar. “Let’s just have transparency. There should be a system that should be put in place,” he added.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged irregularities on sugar importation under Sugar Order No. 6. (Senate PRIB Photo)
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on sugar importation under Sugar Order No. 6, Zubiri noted that the farmers, 90 percent of whom are agrarian reform beneficiaries, are most affected when there is fluctuation in sugar pricing. He said that when the sugar industry is no longer a viable business because of the lack or absence of millers, farmers tend to shift to other crops, which would result in high price of the commodity. “So unless we address this issue, we will have a problem really in sugar production in the Philippines and we will always be importing,” the Senate leader said. According to Zubiri, there is a need to “strike a balance both from the farmers, the producers, the millers and of course the market for the people.” To avoid controversy in the importation of sugar, Zubiri stressed that there should be transparency in the importation of sugar. “Let’s just have transparency. There should be a system that should be put in place,” he added.