QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. holds a meeting with the sugar industry stakeholders at the State Dining Room in Malacañan Palace on May 17, 2023.

There were discussions on future plans to strengthen the local sugar industry to be competitive in the world market. One of the identified measures to boost local production is the identification of sugar lands to increase acreage.

President Marcos also urged cooperation from the stakeholders as the Administration implements its long-term plan to improve production, particularly moving the milling season from August to September which will result in a 10 percent increase in production.

Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Acting Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona presented the benefits of moving the milling and harvesting which includes: minimize milling of young canes; better sugar recovery; longer milling period; higher production volume; better factory preparation; and fair opportunity to both the millers and farmers.

It was also suggested to revive the Philippine Sugar Corporation (PhilSuCor) to help give financing to sugar farmers, especially for farmer cooperatives and associations.

Meanwhile, President Marcos agreed to additional sugar importation not exceeding 150,000 metric tons to stabilize the price and strengthen the country's stock while in the works of improving our local production.

The beneficiaries of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) also had the opportunity to share their sentiments with the president.

Among the officials present during the meeting were Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile Sr., Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr., Communications Secretary Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, Presidential Management Staff Senior Undersecretary Elaine T. Masukat, and SRA Acting Administrator Pablo Luis S. Azcona.

Key sugar industry stakeholders who attended the meeting included Arceo and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Mayor Benjie Miranda.

Other attendees were Manuel Lamata from the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED); Cornelio Toreja of Luzon Federation of Sugar Producers Inc. (LUZONFED); Petie Sumagaysay of Kabankalan-Ilog Planters Association (KABILOG PA); Lance Gokongwei of Universal Robina Corp.; and Gareth McGeown, representing the domestic traders of Coca-cola. (KSAA – PIA CPSD)