BACOLOD City — Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona has dismissed claims that the local sugar industry could collapse due to an alleged government policy on sugar import liberalization, calling the allegation a “blatant lie.”
Azcona was reacting to remarks by Wennie Sancho, convenor of the Save the Sugar Industry Movement (SAVE-SIM), who warned that the industry would suffer severely if the government implemented a sugar import liberalization scheme.
“I do not know where he is getting his information — or misinformation — or if it is simply a figment of his imagination,” Azcona said.
He cautioned Sancho and others to exercise accuracy in making public statements, warning that unverified claims could mislead the public and further destabilize an already volatile market.
“We in the Sugar Regulatory Administration have been very prudent in our pronouncements, especially when there are so-called sugar leaders who have already sabotaged our efforts to mitigate the drop in sugar prices,” Azcona said.
“Yet here is Sancho, who did not even bother to verify facts with the SRA, issuing negative statements that only worsen the situation of an industry that is already hurting,” he added.
Although Azcona said he initially did not want to dignify the claims, he decided to respond after industry stakeholders urged him to address what they described as false information already published by the media without proper verification.
Sancho earlier raised concerns over what he described as the “unrestricted entry of imported and subsidized sugar.” In response, Azcona challenged him to present concrete evidence to support the allegation.
“My challenge to him is to provide the basis of these allegations so that we in the SRA can also be informed,” Azcona said, adding that the agency is open to a comprehensive review should any such liberalization policy exist.
Azcona clarified that the last attempt at sugar liberalization occurred in 2016, which was strongly opposed by industry stakeholders and ultimately did not materialize.
“That issue is already a thing of the past,” he said. “It is clear that this individual thrives on misinformation and destabilization.”
The SRA chief said the agency, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (DA), continues to hold dialogues with sugar industry stakeholders, including traders, to explore ways to assist sugar planters who have been severely affected by successive natural disasters and declining sugar prices.
However, Azcona expressed frustration over certain stakeholders whom he accused of undermining government efforts.
“It is disappointing that some of these so-called sugar leaders are asking the President and the national government to purchase sugar to help farmers, yet are quick to criticize the government at every opportunity,” he said.
He stressed that the current downtrend in sugar prices is influenced by multiple factors and is “certainly not due to over-importation or any alleged liberalization policy.”
Azcona also welcomed the proposed congressional inquiry into the matter, saying it would provide an opportunity to formally present verified data and clarify the real causes of the declining sugar prices.
“At least we can put on record the facts and the factors behind the low prices,” he said. “Because no matter how many dialogues we hold with some stakeholders, there are those who refuse to accept facts other than their own.”/PN
