Lawmakers seek sugar imports probe

Customs officials in Meycauayan, Bulacan, recently seized P130 million worth of sugar from Thailand. Local farmers and sugar tillers were outraged by the discovery of imported sugar as it will compete in prices with local sugar products in the country. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition lawmakers want a House probe on the government’s plan to import 200,000 metric tons of refined sugar.

House Resolution No. 2495 urged the lower chamber’s agriculture and food panel to investigate the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) for allowing the importation.

The SRA made the decision despite a report that showed a 42 percent increase in the production of refined sugar reaching 353,779.10 MT, compared to the 249,515.8 MT produced in the previous year.

This is apart from a 2.3 percent increase in raw sugar supply.

The resolution was filed last Monday by Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Representatives Eufemia Cullamat and Ferdinand Gaite of the Bayan Muna party list.

—JULIE M. AURELIO

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