Philippine News
Marcos rejects proposal to import sugar
Retail prices of sugar are currently beyond PHP100 per kilogram in wet markets and grocery stores. (File Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has rejected the proposal of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to import 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar despite the current local supply deficit, Malacañang said Wednesday.
“The President rejected the proposal to import an additional 300,000 MT of sugar,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said in a press statement.
Marcos, concurrent Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, is also the chairperson of the Sugar Regulatory Board.
Cruz-Angeles issued the statement following reports that Marcos supposedly approved the proposal.
“He (Marcos) is the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board and denied this in no uncertain terms,” she added.
Retail prices of sugar are currently beyond PHP100 per kilogram in wet markets and grocery stores.
Traditionally, the retail prices of sugar are only PHP50 per kilo.
Last month, Marcos acknowledged that the Philippines has not been producing sufficient palay (rice), corn, livestock, and fish.
He, however, said he wants the government to cut down food imports to the barest minimum.
He said importation will be done not as a price stabilization measure, but “a strategic food supply measure.”
Jam Aguirre
August 11, 2022 at 11:31 AM
Great Decision Mr. President, we should strive for our farmers who are delicate to produce our local made sugar. Despite of what happening, still our President choose what is the best and greatest decision, not only just for the price of the sugar to lower it, but how does our farmers have affected if this will accepted.
Catherine Cristobal
August 11, 2022 at 3:52 PM
Sa Aking Palagay Tama Lang ang naging desisyon ng ating Presidente nA Huwag ng Mag import pa ng Asukal sa IBANG Bansa,hindi ba’t nag import na Tayo ng nkaraan ngunit Ganun pA rin ang patuloy na pagtaas ng asukal?Ngayon natin Dapat Suportahan ANg mga Kababayan nating Magsasaka na Nagtatanim ng mga Tubo We Should Patronize Our Own Products Dahil walang Gagawa ng mga ito kundi Tayo ring mga Pilipino.Maraming Magsasaka LNg sa atin ang Malulugi at mapipilitang ibenta sa mas Mababang halaga ANg kanilang mga produkto kung mag aangkat pa Tayo ng Asukal mula sa IBANG Bansa.Nariyan AnG Negros na isa sa Pinagkukunan natin ng Asukal Ay tiyak na Makakapagbigay sA atin ng Produksyon ng Asukal hintayin Lamang natin silA na mkpag ani.Maaaring bawasan ng konti o gumamit ng washed sugar imbes na white sugar Upang mas makatipid,sa ganitong Paraan Maiiwasan pa ntin ang sakit na diabetes,nakatulong pa Tayo sa Kapwa a natin Magsasakang mga Pilipino.Tulong tulong at Malalagpasan din natin ang Pagsubok na ito na kinakaharap ng ating Bansa.
Veria Balatbat
August 11, 2022 at 8:32 PM
To stop importing sugar from other countries, our president made the right choice, in my opinion. In the past, didn’t we import sugar, yet the rate of sugar increase remained constant? Since only Filipinos will produce these goods, we must now assist our fellow farmers who grow sugarcane. We should buy our own products. If we continue to buy sugar from other nations, a lot of our farmers would suffer financial losses and be obliged to sell their goods at a reduced price. Our source of sugar comes from Negros, which is there. We’ll produce sugar with certainty thanks to it. Waiting for the harvest will suffice. We can prevent diabetes this way and help our fellow human beings at the same time.
Precy Bueno-Macol
August 11, 2022 at 8:44 PM
If PBBM continues to make this kind of decisions for 6 years I can see how the bleak future might have a hope. This simple decision to reject importing sugar from other countries and support approximately 63,000 sugarcane farmers in the Philippines would likely echoed to other sectors to prioritize our OWN farmers first before seeking imported goods. It is such a heartbreaking scene whenever I see and hear news of Filipino farmers selling their produce in a much cheaper price because there are just too much supply but low in demand and if they won’t sell it in a low price they might not just lose their profit but also there capital due to spoilage. Not just sugar there are many produce that we can patronize locally such as rice, onions, garlic etc. and in our simple decisions to buy those goods locally would not juts impact our economy but also the lives of the poor farmers that invested their whole lives in farming but cannot reap the earnings they deserve!