Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez and Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Martin yesterday assured that action is being taken to prevent the entry of imported sugar into the country in  the guise of premixes.

They gave the assurance at a meeting called  by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri at the Senate that was attended by Confederation of Sugar Producers Association president Marcelino Aganon and CONFED Negros Panay chairman Raymond Montinola.

Montinola said the meeting was called by Zubiri amid concerns that imported sugar is illegally entering the country in the guise of premixes and driving down the millgate prices of domestic sugar.

Martin informed  Zubiri that she has already signed a new sugar order setting rules to prevent the illegal entry of imported sugar as premixes, Montinola said.

 Alvarez  also informed the senator that if SRA informs Customs that the imported commodity is sugar and not a premix,  they will assess the importer with customs duties, and will leave it to the SRA to classify the seized sugar.

Martin said all imported sugar coming in as premix are classified as C or reserve sugar, which cannot be released into the local market.  

Montinola, meanwhile, said CONFED  will maintain its vigilance over the premix  importations as this will impact on the sugar supply and will adversely affect its members, particularly the small planters.

 As a result of the entry of imported sugar as premixes, millgate prices have gone down to 36/kilo, he said.

 CONFED would like to thank Zubiri, Alvarez and Martin for  fast tracking efforts to solve the problem, he added.*CPG

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