The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has issued an order directing the allocation of the country's entire sugar production for the cropping year 2022-2023 for local use only.
Under Sugar Order (SO) No. 1 dated Aug. 27 but released only on Tuesday, Sept. 14, stated that sugar production for the said cropping year will be classified as “B” sugar or domestic sugar market.
The new cropping season is set to begin on Sept. 1, 2022, until Aug. 31, 2023.
SRA estimated that the total raw sugar production is at 1,876,135.36 metric tons, more or less.
But the agency noted that adjustments may be made with consideration of the production assessment.
“On the basis of such assessment, SRA may from time to time adjust the percentage allocation/distribution to other classes of sugar in accordance with its power and function to establish domestic, export, and reserve allocations,” it stated.
The order was approved and signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who is the concurrent Agriculture chief and SRA board chairperson.
Other signatories are SRA Board officials namely Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, Acting SRA Director David Thaddeus Alba, Acting Board Member-Millers’ Representative Ma. Mitzi Mangwag, and Acting Board Member-Planters’ Representative Pablo Luis Azcona.
Meanwhile, Marcos has also approved the importation of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar.
Sugar Order No. 2 dated Sept. 13 but was only issued on Wednesday, Sept. 14, the 75,000 metric tons are allocated to industrial users, and the other 75,000 metric tons are for consumers.
Earlier, the President had rejected Sugar Order No. 4 which would have imported 300,000 metric tons of sugar. It was deemed “illegal” and “unauthorized”.
