The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has announced a delay in the implementation of Sugar Order 6, which outlines the importation rules for various sugars and sugar confectionery products. This decision follows a letter from the Federation of Philippine Industries to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., highlighting potential issues such as delays in import processing, compliance costs, and the risk of rising prices for beverages and confectionery, which could impact Filipino consumers.
SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona explained that the delay, originally set for February 1, was necessary to ensure all parties are comfortable with the order. He emphasized the importance of dialogue, noting that the FPI has yet to discuss their concerns directly with the SRA or the Department of Agriculture. Azcona reassured that the fears of delays and increased costs are speculative and could be addressed through communication.
Regarding import clearances, Azcona dismissed concerns about delays, stating that the SRA processes thousands of clearances annually for various products, including molasses, sugar, and high fructose corn syrup, with a maximum processing time of three working days. He also mentioned the development of an online portal to further streamline the process.
Azcona also addressed the potential for price increases, pointing out that the fees charged by the SRA are minimal, at just 0.08 percent of the cost, or about 0.06 centavos per kilogram, PHP3 per bag, or PHP60 per ton. He noted that these fees are significantly lower than those for sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
Despite the delay, Azcona stressed the need to collect technical data on other sugar imports, prevent misdeclaration, assess actual demands and substitutes, and develop an effective sugar supply plan. He reaffirmed that all sugars and their by-products are under the SRA’s jurisdiction.