Bacolod City: The National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has backed Negros Occidental lawmaker Javier Miguel Benitez, who has denied allegations linking him to the recent drop in sugar prices, The Manila Times reported.
The union criticised the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), accusing it of spreading misinformation and shifting blame, while calling for greater transparency and a change in its leadership.
In a statement, Benitez rejected claims that a recent congressional hearing caused the price decline, saying the fall was due to excess supply and policy decisions taken by the SRA. He described the allegations as baseless and said the regulator was attempting to deflect responsibility.
He stressed that sugar prices are determined by supply and demand, not by legislative proceedings. To support his argument, he cited data showing that sugar stocks at the start of the October 2025 milling season rose to over 902,000 metric tonnes, a 44 per cent increase from the previous year.
Carry-over stocks were also high at more than 738,000 metric tonnes, well above the level considered necessary to maintain market balance.
Benitez pointed to Sugar Order 8 for the 2024–25 season, which allowed imports of 424,000 metric tonnes of refined sugar. He said the timing of these imports, which arrived between July and November 2025 during the domestic crushing season, put pressure on local prices.
He added that industry leaders in Negros had earlier suggested a lower import volume of 150,000 metric tonnes to avoid market disruption.
By January 2026, farm-gate sugar prices had fallen to between 2,000 and 2,200 pesos per 50-kg bag, dropping below production costs for many farmers.
The lawmaker also said traders reduced purchases due to excess stock in warehouses, not because of the congressional inquiry. He maintained that the hearings helped prompt the Department of Agriculture to extend a sugar import ban until December 2026, which he said would support local producers.
Backing this position, NACUSIP-TUCP said the SRA’s response was an attempt to divert attention from its own decisions. The union has demanded the release of documents related to the import order and called for the resignation of key SRA officials, including Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, planters’ representative David Sanson, and millers’ representative Mitzi Mangwag.
The group said it would continue pressing for accountability and reforms, stating that the industry should prioritise the welfare of farmers and workers.
