DA Bares Plan for Importation of 150,000 Metric Tons of Sugar as Shortage Continues

The Philippines will import another 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar as the sugar shortage in the country continues.

This was confirmed by a statement from Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles during a Palace press briefing, in which she said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is drafting a proposal to import 150,000 MT of sugar to the country.

“Yes, kino-confirm natin ‘yon. Ang proposed amount–150,000 metric tons,” Cruz-Angeles said.

The importation of sugar will mainly be utilized in the food manufacturing industry to save jobs. Cruz-Angeles added, citing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr, who is the concurrent DA Secretary and Sugar Regulatory Administration chairperson (SRA).

The 150,000 MT of sugar is half of the planned illegal importation of the SRA.

The SRA recently drafted an illegal plan to import 300,000 MT of sugar to the country which had the signature of Marcos, with Malacañang denying that the president signed such a draft plan.

This led to the resignation of multiple SRA and DA officers, including SRA Administrator Serafica, Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian, and SRA board member Roland Beltran.

Marcos announced on Wednesday that he will let Congress probe the sugar importation fiasco.

Moreover, the president also said during a chance interview that the SRA will be reorganized “before the end of this week.” (GFB)