By CESAR JOLITO III
A lawmaker from Negros Occidental has filed a measure in the House of Representatives seeking a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s sugar industry, aiming to address long-standing issues in pricing, supply and farmer protection.
In House Bill No. 9088, filed on May 5, 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez proposes amendments to Republic Act No. 10659, introducing wide-ranging reforms designed to stabilize production and strengthen safeguards for stakeholders across the sector.
The proposed law, also called the TUBO (Tunay na Ugnayan, Buhay, at Oportunidad sa Asukal) Act of 2026, comes amid continued volatility in sugar output and market prices — problems that industry players have linked to gaps in regulation, inconsistent import policies, and uneven implementation of support programs.
A key provision of the bill expands the powers of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), allowing it to regulate not only sugar but also substitutes such as high-fructose corn syrup and other sweeteners.
The move seeks to address what stakeholders describe as market distortions caused by unregulated imports and alternative sweeteners that compete with locally produced sugar.
The measure also proposes restructuring the SRA governing board to make it more representative, adding members from millers, planters, refiners, agrarian reform beneficiaries, workers, and industrial users.
It mandates regular consultations and the public release of industry data and policy decisions to improve transparency.
To better manage supply and prevent price swings, the bill introduces data-driven mechanisms for sugar importation.
Imports would only be allowed when domestic supply falls below set buffer stock levels or is projected to be insufficient.
It also includes an 18-month moratorium on commercial sugar imports, with exceptions in cases of verified shortages.
The proposed legislation further revises how funds under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act are allocated, prioritizing climate resilience, infrastructure, research, and direct assistance to farmers.
It also requires the establishment of a publicly accessible system to track fund utilization and key industry data.
Support measures for farmers are also outlined, including a price support mechanism, emergency cash aid, input subsidies, and temporary loan relief for small planters.
Additional provisions promote mechanization, precision agriculture, and the development of value-added industries to boost long-term competitiveness.
The bill also strengthens enforcement against smuggling and calls for tighter monitoring to ensure accurate reporting across the industry.
In his explanatory note, Benitez said the measure aims to create a more responsive and inclusive framework for the sugar sector, emphasizing its critical role in sustaining livelihoods in rural communities./CJ, WDJ