A1 PBBM OKs add’l importation of up to 150K metric tons of sugar

PresidentFerdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved on Monday additional importation of up to 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar to augment the country’s supply and stabilize the price.

This development came after Marcos’ meeting with the Sugar Regulatory Administration headed by Acting Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona and Board Member Ma. Mitzi Mangwang, representing the millers.

“We agreed to additional importation of sugar to stabilize the prices. Maximum amount will be 150,000 MT but probably less,” Marcos said in an interview.

“The exact amount will be determined once we have deter- to September this year to boost productivity.

“That’s important for the corresponding increase in production by approximately 10 percent,” Marcos said.

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mined the exact amount of supply, which will come at the end of this month,” he added.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile and SRA Board Secretary Rodney Rubrica were also present during the meeting.

He said the importation of sugar would be open to all traders.

Marcos said he also gave his approval to move the beginning of the milling season from August

He also ordered the SRA to expedite block farming initiatives, which consolidate small farm lots into at least a 30 hectare-block farm, to also increase production.

There are currently 21 block farms in the country averaging at least 40 hectares each.

“(C)onsolidation is an important part of agro-industrial production. We’re looking at increasing the budget for block farming to accelerate the process of organizing the block farms,” he said.