Sugar industry leaders have thrown their support behind the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) implementation of Sugar Order No. 6, aimed at closely monitoring the supply and demand dynamics of sugar and other sweeteners in the Philippines. The Philippine Sugar Millers’ Association, Inc. and the Philippine Association of Sugar Refineries, Inc. expressed their backing on January 31, 2025, highlighting the importance of accurate data collection to understand the market’s true state amidst a growing population and economy.
The SRA had previously postponed the rollout of SO 6 due to concerns from the Federation of Philippine Industries about potential delays in import processing, increased compliance costs, and possible price hikes for beverages and confectionery. However, PSMA president Terence Uygongco emphasized that SO 6 is essential for tracking the influx of alternative sweeteners and their market impact, providing the SRA with the necessary tools to gauge the domestic sugar market accurately.
Renato Cabati, president of the Philippine Association of Sugar Refineries, Inc., clarified that the fees and requirements stipulated in SO 6 are standard and aim to establish uniform policies for sugar and other sweeteners. He noted that the order does not restrict the importation of alternative sweeteners but requires an SRA clearance for release, which differs from an import permit.
Both associations reassured that the fees associated with SO 6 are minimal and should not impact consumers. SRA Administrator Luis Pablo Azcona addressed the Federation of Philippine Industries’ concerns, stating that import clearances would be issued within three working days. Additionally, efforts are being made to launch an online portal to further reduce processing times. The fee structure under SO 6 is set at a modest 0.08 percent of the cost, translating to 0.06 centavos per kilo, PHP3 per bag, or PHP60 per ton.