The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has ordered a halt in the release of the 150,000 metric tons (MT) imported refined sugar until further notice.
Under Resolution No. 2023-159 posted on Oct. 12, SRA said the release of the imported refined sugar must be put on hold to "maintain a reasonable volume of sugar available for domestic use, protect the interest of the farmers and millers, and sustain a reasonable farmgate price of raw sugar of about Php 3,000 per bag."
"The Sugar board deemed it necessary to hold in abeyance all applications of conversion and maintain the classification of all imported sugar as a reserve," it added.
The SRA said all eligible importers only have until Oct. 15 to "completely distribute their allocations" and "submit a written proof of compliance to the said actual distribution within 30 days."
The resolution was signed by SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, Millers' Rep. Ma Mitzi Mangwag, and Planters' Rep. David Andrew Sanson.
Only DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban did not sign the said resolution.
