• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
An initial amount of P5 billion has been approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be used by the government to directly purchase sugar from farmers at a premium price, Manuel Lamata, president of the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines (UNIFED) said in a statement.
“We are very grateful to the President, to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and Sugar Regulatory Administrator Pablo Azcona for heeding our plea for government intervention on the plummeting sugar millgate prices,” Lamata said.
“To my fellow sugar planters, do not sell yet your sugar at these low prices. Wait a little more because our President has stepped in to help the sugar farmers and thank you for never doubting his concern for our industry,” he added.
On Jan. 19, leaders of various groups comprising the industry sat down to draw up measures and mechanics as the government gave its nod to intervene in the prevailing situation by buying sugar directly from the farmers.
Sugar industry stakeholders have repeatedly expressed alarm over the continued plummet of sugar prices to about P2,400 per 50-kilo bag, which is below the comfortable profit margin for sugar producers and small farmers.
The outcry has prompted the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to propose buying sugar directly from farmers.
It was UNIFED, through Lamata, that first issued the appeal to the President last Dec. 11 amid the continuous drop in sugar prices since the start of the milling season.
“We are also very thankful to Secretary Kiko Laurel and the SRA for their prompt action to look into and addressing the issues of the sugar industry,” Lamata said, adding that UNIFED took part in the recent discussion of the mechanics in implementing the buy-direct plan from the farmers at a premium price.
Lamata also thanked all the members of UNIFED who never wavered in their trust in the present administration, assuring them as well that “UNIFED will always look after the welfare of its members and the industry as a whole.”
Azcona also thanked Marcos and Laurel for “keeping their commitment to help the industry, particularly the sugar farmers.” | GB
