By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) is currently consolidating its data as to how much sugar is needed prior to giving their recommendations to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

In a statement forwarded by newly-appointed SRA head David John Thaddeus Alba, he said they acknowledge that there is a shortage as refined sugar is used primarily by the beverage industry.

On Monday, August 22, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines temporarily suspended its plant operations in Davao City due to “lack of supply of bottler’s grade sugar.”

The beverage company stated the 150,000 metric tons (MT) imported by the government is not enough, and they claimed that there is a shortage of 600,000 MT of refined sugar.

“We would like to emphasize, however, that not all sugar is the same. Food and beverage manufacturers need premium refined sugar to maintain high-quality products. This type of sugar is not the same sugar that is commonly used in households,” the company said in a statement.

Coca-Cola Philippines said they shared with Marcos that the industry needs at least 450,000 MT of premium refined bottler-grade sugar to utilize 100 percent of its manufacturing capacity for the balance of the year and serve the customers’ orders that depend on their products.

The company has also stated that it is implementing various efforts to cushion the blow of sugar shortage.

According to Alba, they already know that Coca-Cola is in a critical status for their sugar needs, while Pepsi Philippines and RC Cola still have their available supply as per records from the SRA.

He, meanwhile, pointed out the new SRA officials had just taken office and they are asking their industry partners for time to address the issue based on established facts.

“The Sugar Board was recently convened by Marcos, and we were directed to immediately come up with Sugar Order No. 1 regarding sugar allocation, of which the Board recommended that all sugar for this crop year will be classified as domestic sugar,” Alba said.

He added that there will be no allocation for the United States quota and this will be subjected to thorough consultation with all industry stakeholders.

“We also came up with Sugar Order No. 2 which recommends the importation of 150,000 metric tons of refined sugar. While in principle this has been approved, we still need to draw up the mechanics covering this order after consultations as well,” Alba added./DGB, WDJ