By CESAR JOLITO III
Negros Occidental 5th District Representative Emilio “Dino” Yulo III has renewed calls for immediate and decisive government action to address persistently low sugar prices, stressing that small sugarcane planters are bearing the brunt of the problem as they struggle to meet weekly cash needs.
Yulo said small planters cannot afford delays in cane buying and price stabilization measures, unlike large producers who can absorb losses until the end of the crop year.
“Ang aton mga magagmay nga planter, kinanlanon nila kwarta on a weekly basis,” Yulo said, noting that many rely on proceeds from cane sales to meet payroll every week.
Yulo explained that while large planters can recover losses over time, small farmers depend on immediate cash flow.
“Kun wala sang bidder, wala sang i-payroll,” he said, adding that their livelihoods are placed at risk without sure buyers.
Yulo said he is looking to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to take the lead in protecting the sugar industry, particularly the most vulnerable farmers.
“Ang panawagan ta sa SRA, ila gid man ‘ni ubra nga proteksyonan ang industriya sang kalamay. Kami ‘ya magasuporta,” he said.
The lawmaker added that he was informed that measures are being prepared to help improve sugar prices but expressed uncertainty over the timing of bidding activities, noting that several consecutive holidays may delay market movements.
“Importante gid nga makalantaw kita sang presyo kun ano gid ang magwa,” he added.
Yulo also cautioned against premature blame or conflicting positions within the industry, saying unity is crucial in addressing the crisis.
“Indi na kita anay magdugang sang lain-lain nga panan-aw. Indi na ini makabulig kun lain-lain ang boses,” he said, adding that concrete solutions should be tackled at the proper time.
Import ban extended
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the SRA have reaffirmed a moratorium on sugar imports to help stabilize domestic prices and protect local producers.
In a press release dated December 19, Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the import ban, first announced in October, will remain in effect until the end of the harvest or possibly through the milling season, depending on actual stock levels.
Laurel said the decision was based on improved raw sugar production and the need to prioritize locally produced sugar.
He has directed SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona to closely monitor refinery output and maintain accurate data on refined sugar stocks, which are produced entirely from local raw sugar.
To further shield farmers, the DA and SRA are also finalizing long-delayed rules on molasses imports.
Under the proposed framework, users will be required to buy and withdraw local molasses first before any importation is allowed, subject to SRA approval.
In addition, the government will roll out a raw sugar buying program, with purchases held as buffer stock for up to 90 days.
Laurel said this move comes after months of consultations failed to produce consensus, even as farmgate prices continued to decline.
“We can no longer afford to sacrifice our farmers,” Laurel said, noting that previous buying programs had helped prices recover.
Under the plan, up to 400,000 metric tons of raw sugar will be purchased as reserve stock, supporting the allocation of a 100,000-metric-ton export quota to the United States.
Azcona said the export decision reflects a significant increase in local production and will again be linked to a transparent buying program similar to the earlier Sugar Order No. 2 mechanism./CJ, WDJ