By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After officials within the sugar industry last week expressed opposition to the proposed importation of sugar, Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board member, Atty. Emilio Yulo, yesterday assured local labor groups in Negros Occidental the entry of imported sugar would be “limited.”

In a statement by Yulo, he said they agreed to a calibrated and pre-emptive importation program, which would only be enacted if the situation warrants such action.

Yulo said the SRA will continue to exercise its mandate as provided by law.

He also said Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol assured the measure would only directly benefit the consuming public.

“Sugar milling season has already started and we are confident that we have enough sugar supply in the country, but we are agreeable to this measure in order to avoid a situation similar to what has happened to the rice industry recently,” Yulo pointed out.

He added, the move will be the sugar industry’s contribution to the President Rodrigo Duterte administration by helping curb inflation and assist in the nation’s development.

In response, labor advocate Wennie Sancho said his groups, the General Alliance of Workers Association and Save the Sugar Industry Movement, agreed in principle with Yulo.

“The volume of sugar importation should be limited to sugar shortages, if any, and when it is necessary,” Sancho said.

He also said SRA should ensure sugar traders are not given “room to play” and to watch out for smuggling.

“The matter will not prevent [us] from holding protest rallies against ‘open sugar importation,’” Sancho warned. “Economic managers should intervene and tell SRA to ‘regulate’ and not import sugar.”/DGB, WDJ