BACOLOD City — Negros Occidental Third District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez has filed a bill seeking sweeping reforms in the country’s sugar industry, aimed at stabilizing production, improving pricing mechanisms, and strengthening protections for farmers and workers.
House Bill No. 9088, or the proposed Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal (TUBO) Act of 2026, seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10659, also known as the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015 (SIDA), to address long-standing issues hounding the sector.
In filing the measure on May 5, Benitez cited persistent volatility in sugar production, supply, and prices—problems that stakeholders have attributed to regulatory gaps, inconsistent import policies, and weaknesses in program implementation.
A key feature of the bill is the expansion of the regulatory authority of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). Under the proposal, the agency would oversee not only sugar but also its substitutes, including high-fructose corn syrup and other caloric and non-caloric sweeteners.
The measure aims to close regulatory loopholes that industry groups say have contributed to oversupply and market distortions, particularly those linked to excessive importation that depresses farmgate prices.
The bill also proposes restructuring the SRA governing board to make it more inclusive. Additional seats would be allocated to representatives from sugar millers, planters, refineries, small farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), field and mill workers, and industrial users.
It likewise mandates regular stakeholder consultations and the publication of data and policy decisions to improve transparency and accountability in the sector.
House Bill No. 9088 also introduces changes in the allocation of funds under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (SIDA), prioritizing investments in climate resilience, infrastructure, research and development, and direct support for farmers.
The SRA would be required to maintain a publicly accessible system to track fund utilization and industry data.
To address supply imbalances, the measure proposes a data-driven framework for sugar importation. Imports would only be allowed when domestic supply falls below established buffer stock levels or is projected to be insufficient to meet demand.
The bill also includes an 18-month moratorium on commercial sugar imports, with exceptions in cases of verified shortages.
Among the support mechanisms outlined are price support programs, emergency cash assistance, input subsidies, and temporary loan relief for small planters.
The measure also promotes long-term competitiveness through investments in mechanization, precision agriculture, and value-added industries, along with stricter monitoring to curb smuggling and improve reporting accuracy.
Benitez said the proposed law seeks to establish a more responsive, data-driven, and inclusive framework for the sugar industry, which remains a key source of livelihood in rural communities, particularly in sugar-producing areas such as Negros./PN
