Similar sentiments were earlier made by SRA board members

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Save the Sugar Industry Movement (SAVE-SIM) lead convenor Wennie Sancho said he believes rising sugar prices are a “ploy” to justify the liberalization of the sugar industry.

In a text message, he claimed traders, wholesalers, and retailers are profiting greatly.

He called for strong opposition to “any and all attempts” to implement sugar liberalization, saying, they have to “stand up for decency and morality.”

Sancho also called on the Department of Trade and Industry to “fulfill its mandate” by regulating the price of retail sugar and implementing a suggested retail price.

Earlier this week, Sugar Regulatory Administration Board Members Roland Beltran and Atty. Emilio ‘Dino’ Yulo expressed similar sentiment, asserting sugar wholesalers and retailers are manipulating prices, which has resulted in a rise in prices. They also called on the Department of Trade and Industry to “do their job” and “monitor retail prices.”

Yulo also earlier expressed suspicions the issue of rising sugar prices may be a “ploy in setting-up a scenario to justify liberalization of sugar importation.”/DGB, WDJ