Solon urges direct sugar importation; claims looming El Niño threatens production

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MANILA, Philippines — Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. has suggested that manufacturers and industrial users be allowed to directly import sugar as he claims that an impending El Niño may imperil production.

During his radio program on Monday, Abante said the sugar needs of several industries should be satisfied, warning that manufacturers may lay off jobs if a sugar crisis is not avoided if an El Niño ensues.

“Well okay lang sa’kin ‘yon, I think that should happen, lalong madaling panahon. ‘Yong  pangangailangan po ng taumbayan, ‘yon ang kailangan nating makita,” Abante, chair of the House committee on human rights and vice chair of the House committee on  good government and public accountability, said during DZME’s Kongreso Ngayon At Your Service.

(I see no problem with such a proposal, I think that should happen the soonest time possible.  The needs of the people, that is what we should look at.)

“‘Di ko alam kung ba’t ‘di nila pinapayagan ‘yun, ano ba ang ruling bakit ‘di nila pinapayagan? Ano ba ang batayan ng batas n’yan, bakit ‘di pinapayagan?” he asked.

(I don’t know why they are not permitting importation, what is the ruling why they do not allow that?  What is their legal basis why it is not allowed?)

While an El Niño has not been declared yet, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on March 24 that there is a 55 percent chance of El Niño being declared between July to September this year.

Last week, Pagasa said the probability of an El Niño between June to September increased to at least 80 percent.

With an El Niño, average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean are expected to rise, which may cause dry spells and droughts in affected countries like the Philippines.  This climate condition is believed to cause a big dent on the country’s growth if not addressed properly, as the phenomenon affected the agricultural sectors in the past El Niño editions.

READ: Pagasa issues El Niño Watch; urges public to prepare for warm, dry season

Abante is not the first lawmaker to sound alarm over the state of the sugar industry and the possible occurrence of El Niño in the country. On Sunday, April 23, Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo suggested that cloud seeding operations be done in their province to shield their crops – particularly sugarcane – from a possible drought.

READ: DA, SRA urged to seed clouds to help save crops in Negros Occidental

Abante stressed that aside from allowing direct importation of sugar, more importers should be allowed to ensure that price of the sweetener are kept stable.

In February, the board of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) approved the plan to import 440,000 metric tons of refined sugar to stabilize prices. While many hailed the plan as it may be used amid the possible El Niño season, agricultural groups warned that it may hurt small farmers in the long run. —With reports from Maria Liezl Projella, trainee

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