By Kris Crismundo/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) backs the government’s move to deregulate sugar importation in a bid to moderate prices of the essential commodity.
In a statement Friday, PCCI President Alegria Limjoco said opening up sugar importation is a welcome development to enterprises in the food processing and manufacturing sector where sugar is a vital ingredient.
“Our domestic food processors, which are mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are taking the brunt of the high cost of domestic sugar, which actually makes them uncompetitive. That’s why we laud the government for taking this initiative to liberalize sugar imports,” Limjoco said.
Last week, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said sugar is next on the government’s list of agricultural products that importation rules will be relaxed.
The administration already pushed for deregulation of rice imports with the Rice Tariffication Bill, which is only waiting for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.
PCCI said deregulating rice imports will “help to stabilize and lower the prices of rice in the domestic market and ensure its sufficient stock”.
“We are glad that our government is listening to our concerns because this has become a burden on our part. We absolutely cannot compete with similar products from ASEAN due to the prohibitive prices of our sugar,” said Roberto Amores, PCCI Chair for Agriculture Committee.
He noted that refined sugar in the country is much pricier at PHP60 to PHP65 per kg. compared to neighboring countries’ prices of PHP28 to PHP30 per kg.
