SUGAR REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION

This is the common sentiment echoed by about 100 sugarcane industry stakeholders during a consultation August 5, 2010, at the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) offices, in Quezon City.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala initiated the dialogue in close coordination with Administrator Bernardo C. Trebol of SRA— a follow-up to an earlier meeting held July 8, 2010 at the DA — to address major concerns and map out industry direction to increase production of sugarcane and ethanol, achieve stable domestic supply and prices of sugar, and increase farmers’ incomes.

He added that these goals are all geared towards making the country’s sugar industry globally competitive, in the light of the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA).

Tariff rates on imported sugar from competing ASEAN countries will be gradually reduced from the current 38% to only 5% by 2015. By 2012, tariff rate will further go down to 28%, 18% by 2013, and 10% by 2014.

Hence, Sec. Alcala said: “We have to prepare the country, sugarcane farmers, and everyone.”  

“We therefore have to increase the production of sugarcane for both sugar and ethanol,” he added. READ MORE ...