By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

According to local sugar advocacy group, the Save the Sugar Industry Movement (SAVE-SIM), the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture approved House Resolutions 412 and 439, which opposed sugar liberalization, or the deregulation of sugar importation.
SAVE-SIM Secretary-General Wennie Sancho said both Bacolod City lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya and Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano were in attendance.
Following the approval, the House of Representatives has reportedly ordered Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) head Hermengildo Serafica to submit a report on the quantity of sugar imports, while the Department of Finance was asked for “verification of their advisory.”
In addition, the National Economic and Development Authority was also requested to clarify their programs under sugar liberalization.
Last week, during a visit to La Carlota City, Senator Cynthia Villar called sugar liberalization an eventuality.
“We are now in a competitive age [and] we have to liberalize,” she affirmed. “It’s just a matter of time.”/DGB, WDJ