Sugar federations, through the Sugar Regulatory Administration, will present their consolidated final draft of the proposed Sugar Act at the Nature’s Village Resort in Silay City today, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said yesterday.

Benitez, who will author the Sugar Act, has asked for inputs so the act will reflect the concerns of the sugar industry.

The proposed bill aims to cushion the impact of sugar trade liberalization in the country in 2015, when tariffs on imports are lifted, to ensure that the industry survives, he said.

“I think, we need to be sure that, at the end of the day, the safeguards are there. We should not slip into a situation where even the planters can hardly afford to plant anymore and millers can no longer afford to mill,” Benitez said.

Agriculture Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat was also at the Nature’s Village Resort with Benitez yesterday for the Department of Agriculture-Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Department of Environment and Natural Resources Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Development that is also expected to come out with an output report today.*CPG

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