A group of agricultural workers said that the shortfall in sugar supply in the country is not as bad as it is portrayed.
Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura spokesman Butch Lozande said on Thursday, Sept. 1, the group believes that the shortage is minimal and should not result in increased prices.
“Naniniwala kami na merong shortfall, pero hindi ganoon kalala o kagrabe doon sa pino-project ng former (Sugar Regulatory Administration) administrator at saka sa ibang grupo ng mga bottlers,” he said.
“At naniniwala kami na meron lang talagang nangyayaring hoarding at manipulation ng suplay para i-manipulate din ‘yung presyo ng asukal lalong-lalo na sa ating mga public markets at supermarkets,” he added.
“Kung basehan natin ‘yung figures ng SRA, is hindi naman ganoon kalaki ‘yung shortfall if may shortfall man tayo sa ngayon. Kasi ang carryover stock at saka ‘yung output, production output na 1 million metric tons, plus ‘yung carryover stock na more than 255, 000 metric tons nung matapos ang ating milling year nitong nakaraang taon, is siguro around mga 20,000, 25,0000 metric tons ‘yung ating kulang,” he explained.
The group also said the government’s position on the sugar importation mess was confusing.
“Ang hindi lang talaga namin maano dito is ‘yung very confusing and contradicting din ‘yung position ng Malacanang palagi. Sabi niya kasi, merong artificial shortage at may nagho-hoard ng supply ng asukal, at the same time is amenable naman siya sa pag-import ‘no ng 150,000 metric tons,” he said.
“‘Yung mga raids na ito, para sa amin nagpapakita ito na hindi ganoon kalala ‘yung shortfall natin.” (ABS-CBN News)
