BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is concerned the further drop in sugar prices will badly affect small farmers.
If prices go down considerably, it may conform with the consumers and small sugar planters, and Negros Occidental will be the most affected, he said.
“I hope the volume and timing of importing sugar will not lead to a considerable drop in sugar prices,” Lacson added.
Earlier this week, Sen. Risa Hontiveros labeled the recently signed Sugar Order No. 6 (SO6) as “government-sponsored smuggling.”
She said the 260 20-foot containers of sugar arrived in Batangas port on Feb. 9 before the approval of SO6, which authorizes the importation of 440,000 metric tons of refined sugar.
Based on the processing timeline, the earliest possible date that imported refined sugar from Thailand will enter the country under SO6 is March 1.
“There is a need to investigate exactly how sugar shipments were allowed entry into our ports absent a Sugar Order and to identify gaps in policy that need to be addressed in order to effectively curtail agricultural smuggling, and smuggling of regulated commodities like sugar,” read part of the Senate Resolution No. 497 lodged by Hontiveros.
It added, “At a time of high prices and sugar shortages, it is imperative to review policies that allow the favoring of powerful players and importers and create virtual monopolies on basic commodities.”
In response to Hontiveros’ statements, Lacson said it should be investigated if there is enough evidence.
“We’re here to just observe if indeed it’s true,” Lacson said./PN
