Amid various institutions expressing opposition to plans by the government to deregulate sugar importation, including the Sugar Regulatory Administration, Negros Occidental Provincial Board, and Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), despite 2018 fourth quarter agriculture numbers up, reported a decline in sugarcane production.

According to their 4Q report, agriculture overall, which includes crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries, saw an increase of 1.8 percent; crops, in particular, saw a marginal 0.25 percent increase.

However, the report noted sugarcane production saw a 2.22 percent drop, noting a reduction in areas harvested in the Western Visayas, citing heavier harvesting in the previous quarter due to high prices.

Meanwhile, PSA also noted crops prices overall saw an increase of 1.94 percent.

Similar opposition sentiment has been expressed over the past few days, suggesting deregulation would “spell the demise of the local sugar industry” and “foment widespread social unrest,” along with suggestions for the national government to “go after greedy traders and retailers.”/WDJ