MANILA -- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he would reorganize the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) this week as he seeks ways to address issues plaguing the sugar industry.

“We’ll reorganize the SRA and then we will come to an arrangement with the industrial consumers, with the planters, the millers, suppliers of the sugar to coordinate para talaga kung ano ‘yung mayroon, kung ano ‘yung available, mailabas na sa merkado,” Marcos said in a media interview during the launch of PinasLakas vaccination campaign in SM City Manila.

The President also said that he would let the legislature investigate the sugar importation issue, stressing that his focus is addressing the challenges confronting food and beverage manufacturers.

He pointed out that there is a need to immediately address the problems hounding the industry to avert a looming sugar shortage, which may affect local sugar workers and their families. 

“Because right now, they are starting to cut down the days of the week na nagtatrabaho and we are very worried of course about jobs. So ‘yun ang iniintindi ko talaga right now,” he said.

The President also expressed confidence that his talks with industry stakeholders especially manufacturers would yield positive results as far as sufficiency of local supply is concerned.

“That’s what we are negotiating with the traders now. Hihingin natin… They first offered at 80 pesos (per kilo) so sabi ko, ‘Hingiin ko na ‘yung 70 pesos, tulungan niyo na lang kasi kawawa naman ang tao.’ And we’re getting there,” he said.

The sugar situation is similar to other agricultural commodities in the Philippines, the President said, noting that the government is being compelled to import to replenish local requirements when there is shortage in production.

“To cut production costs, the government extends subsidies and fertilizer to farmers,” he emphasized. (PND)