• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Following a public consultation on the challenges facing the sugar industry, an official congressional inquiry will be conducted before the end of February, Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez announced on Thursday, Feb. 5.
“We have read the statements, listened to stakeholders, and engaged our farmers and workers on the ground on the challenges facing the sugar industry. These concerns are clear, and they deserve a proper venue for discussion,” Benitez said in a Facebook post.
He added that he is working closely with Quezon First District Rep. Mark Enverga, chairman of the House committee on agriculture, on all necessary preparations to ensure the hearing is focused, constructive, and grounded in the reality of the industry.
“This is about protecting our sugar farmers and workers, strengthening the industry, and advocating for coordinated, long-term solutions that also account for consumer realities,” the lawmaker said.
The recent sharp decline in domestic mill gate prices of sugar was blamed by some industry stakeholders to over importation of sugar.
This drop has placed the local sugar industry in a crisis, with farmers struggling to cover production costs.
“We will continue to listen, engage, and do the work from the district level to the national stage,” Benitez said.
Benitez and Senator Francis Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform, earlier called for urgent structural reforms and stronger government support for the sugar industry amid falling prices, rising production costs, and mounting threats to farmers’ livelihoods.
As the sponsor of the Department of Agriculture’s budget, Pangilinan reiterated his push for a P2-billion allocation for the Sugar Regulatory Administration, though the agency was given only P1.02 billion for 2026 after the Department of Budget and Management flagged underutilization and absorptive capacity issues. | GB
