Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

SRA suspends implementation of new importation rules on sugar alternatives

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Thursday that it has suspended the implementation of a new import policy on sugar alternatives and confectionary sugars upon the request of local industry groups. SRA Administrator Pablo Azcona said the agency, along with Department of Agriculture (DA) officials, will hold further consultations with stakeholders to address their concerns. Under Sugar Order No. 6, manufacturers would also need to secure an import clearance and pay extra fees to the SRA to bring in sugar alternatives and sugar-based items including sucrose, sugar syrup, glucose, and caramel, among others. That is on top of the requirements they need to submit to the Bureau of Customs.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/1/30/pagpapatupad-ng-sugar-order-no-6-sinuspinde-muna-ng-da-at-sra-2053">Pagpapatupad ng Sugar Order No. 6 sinuspinde muna ng DA at SRA</a></div>The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) slammed the move as another layer of bureaucratic red tape that would likely lead to higher prices of select items such as biscuits and other baked goods, candies, as well as beverages like soft drinks. “It would be against the Ease of Doing Business na gusto ng ating Pangulo diba? Baka magkaroon ng delay sa delivery, lalo na sa mga demurahe. If maipon ang fees, that would be a big amount and, of course, kaming mga manufacturers, we will pass it on to the end users,” said FPI Chairman Jesus Arranza in a press conference.Azcona explained that the move is necessary to protect local sugar farmers. “For the last five to 10 years, we’ve noticed that yung demand natin for cane sugar, which we produce locally, has remained steady. So &#x27;yung biggest question po namin sa SRA and the DA is what is satisfying the demand? We need all the data we can get,” he said. But FPI argued that some of the items the SRA is targeting are not even direct substitutes for sugar. “Yung glucose, iniimport yan ng candy manufacturers to harden the candy. Hindi &#x27;yan substitute for sweetness,” said Arranza. Meanwhile, the SRA assured companies that the new regulation will not cause delays and should not bloat costs. “The fee that is being charged is 0.08 percent of their cost. Hindi naman po maintindihan bakit mo pa itataas yung bilihin,” he said.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/25/house-lawmakers-seek-to-ban-adding-sugar-in-baby-food-1331">House lawmakers seek to ban adding sugar in baby food</a></div>“Yung maximum working time noon is 3 working days. So pagdating dito (ng shipment) ready na yung clearance nila, sigurado yan. We’re also establishing an online portal to make it faster,” added Azcona. Sugar Order No. 6 was supposed to be implemented this coming February 1, 2025 but the DA said it will only push through with the new rule once a consensus is reached. “The DA, in general, has to be careful in issuing policies that will affect farmers and consumers,” said DA Spokesperson Arnel De Mesa.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Thursday that it has suspended the implementation of a new import policy on sugar alternatives and confectionary sugars upon the request of local industry groups.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said on Thursday that it has suspended the implementation of a new import policy on sugar alternatives and confectionary sugars upon the request of local industry groups.