PBBM to review import plan for 150K MT of sugar
THE plan to import around 150,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar will still be subject to review by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Malacañang said on Tuesday.
In a press conference, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said Marcos has yet to receive a copy of the sugar import plan.
“He (Marcos) will review the proposed sugar order prior to signing,” Cruz-Angeles said.
Marcos, in his recent vlog, announced that the government is eyeing to import 150,000 MT of sugar, if the country’s supply dwindles by October:
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is eyeing the issuance of an order allowing the importation of 150,000 MT of sugar by middle of September, the sugar body’s acting administrator John David Alba said on Aug. 25.
The importation order, Alba said, would help stabilize the prices of sugar in the market.
Quizzed if the proposed quantity might be altered, Cruz-Angeles said: “Parati naman po itong nire-review. Kung ano ang naangkop na amount, ‘yun ang gagawing quota ng importation (It is always under review. The proper amount for the import quota will be determined).”
Marcos earlier rejected the proposal to import 300,000 MT of sugar, despite the spike in prices of the basic commodity because of supply constraints.
Despite his disapproval, the SRA earlier issued Sugar Order (SO) 4 allowing the importation of 300,000 MT of sugar.
The issuance of SO 4 was called “illegal” by Malacañang.
Authorities, upon Marcos’ order, have been conducting surprise visits to Customs-bonded sugar warehouses in the country to determine whether the supposed shortage of the commodity’s supply is artificial. Philippine News Agency
