Manila: Government officials and lawmakers have agreed on a mix of immediate and long-term steps aimed at stabilising the sugar industry, as falling farmgate prices, refining limitations and market uncertainty continue to weigh on farmers and other stakeholders, the Philippines News Agency reported.
The decision followed a consultation held on January 23 with sugarcane farmers, millers, refiners and industry representatives, where concerns were raised over declining farmgate prices, excess raw sugar and policy gaps affecting market conditions.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, Quezon 1st District Representative Mark Enverga and Apayao Representative Eleanor Bulut-Begtang joined Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and other officials to outline a coordinated response combining short-term relief with structural reforms.
In a joint statement, officials said leaders from both the executive and legislative branches had come together to address urgent industry concerns and map out a clearer and fairer path for the sugar sector.
A key proposal involves launching stakeholder consultations to recommend amendments to the Sugar Industry Development Act (SIDA), ensuring the law reflects current industry conditions, including refining performance, alignment of import policies and the institutionalisation of regular consultations.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) pledged support for sugarcane farmers, while the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will examine the use of purchase contracts as collateral to help farmers gain better access to financing.
Authorities will also review how small farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries and farming communities can be integrated into existing assistance programmes in line with established guidelines.
To ease market uncertainty, the SRA said it would continue holding regular consultations with stakeholders before issuing sugar orders related to imports or exports. Policies governing the entry, use and market impact of artificial sweeteners will also be reviewed.
Meanwhile, the DA and SRA committed to releasing updated and comprehensive data covering refinery output versus rated capacity, trends in raw and refined sugar production, the disposition of output, and import volumes along with their geographic distribution.
Officials added that these measures would be implemented in close coordination with stakeholders to help build a stable, transparent and sustainable sugar industry that safeguards farmers while ensuring a reliable supply for consumers and businesses.
Import programmes will also be reviewed, alongside studies on incentives for domestic refining and an assessment of sugar movement in areas facing oversupply to prevent market distortions.
