By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A Negros Occidental lawmaker advised the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to manage mill gate prices of sugar so as not to affect farmers.

In a phone patch interview yesterday morning, Negros Occidental 5th district Congressman Emilio “Dino” Yulo III said they should continue to maintain the profitability level of the farmers.

With the summer season now approaching, Yulo said now is the only time that small farmers, especially those in the hinterlands, will be able to mill their sugarcane.

Farm gate prices of sugar recently went down from P3,300 to P2,800. However, the price rebounded to P3,000.

He said it is too early to say if the decrease in sugar prices was due to the entry of smuggled sugar into the country.

“Sugar is a political commodity. It is easily affected by the current scenarios and the environment,” Yulo said.

He presumed that the decrease in farm gate prices is a product of concern for industry stakeholders due to the allegations of sugar smuggling.

In preparation for an expected congressional investigation, Yulo said he is now compiling all the documents needed to get the bottom of these claims./DGB, WDJ