BACOLOD City- A proposed resolution to investigate the issuance of Sugar Order (SO) No. 3 by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) that allows the importation of 200,000 metric tons of sugar “even at the height of the harvest and milling season is now pending in the senate.
The United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED) lauded the support of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri after he filed on Feb. 14, Senate Resolution 995 to investigate the importation of agricultural products including sugar.
At the same time, the group also lauded Senator Imee Marcos on enjoining the call, as well as the Negros Occidental Provincial Board for their unanimous objection to sugar importation while milling is at its peak through the passage of a Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP)resolution.
“We are thankful for our champions in the Senate for their strong stance against ill-planned sugar importation and for seeking an inquiry into the questionable importation program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the SRA,” UNIFED President Manual Lamata said.
Marcos on Sunday also assailed the DA’s importation program, particularly on fish products, and “regrets” endorsing the confirmation of DA Secretary William Dar. In a press statement, Marcos said “Dar has done nothing but import rice, chicken, pork, fish, and now sugar.”
Lamata said, “We are very thankful to our provincial officials for supporting our call. They clearly understand that sugar remains as our economic lifeline and anything that affects the industry will have a major impact in our lives here.”
The SP resolution cited the irony of issuing SO3 when “only a week before, SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica has come out saying there was no reason for prices to increase since supply is stable despite the effects of Typhoon Odette.”
The SP also questioned the process which only allows industrial users to participate in the import program.
A temporary restraining order (TRO) good for 20 days was issued recently by Judge Reginald Fuentebella of Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Sagay City against the implementation of SO No. 3./PN
