Barely three years before the implementation of the zero tariff on imported sugar because of the Asean Free Trade Agreement, Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed dismay that the government has yet to initiate concrete steps on how to soften its impact to the local sugar industry.

“We cannot afford to sacrifice millions of Filipinos, who are dependent in the sugar, directly or indirectly,” Zubiri said, adding the government, especially the Sugar Regulatory Administration, should do something about it right now.

Zubiri alleged the SRA has no clear plans on how to prepare and address the tariff lifting on imported sugar entering the Philippines by 2015, citing its failure to formulate short and long term plans.

Our government shows a complete lack of political will for the survival of the sugar industry, he claimed.

To address the zero tariff on sugar by 2015, Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) has proposed House Bill 6113, also known as the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2012, which is geared towards revitalizing and strengthening the sugarcane industry through diversification, development and financing programs.*GPB

back to top